MANILA, Philippines?Pitted against candidates young enough to be his grandchildren, former Quezon City Mayor Ismael Mathay is staging a comeback, and believes he has a fighting chance because of his years of experience.

?I have the track record and experience,? he told reporters Saturday at a forum in Quezon City.

Mathay, who served as city mayor from 1992 to 2001, surprised many when he filed last year his certificate of candidacy for mayor without any fanfare last year.

The veteran politician is running against incumbent Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, former Environment Secretary Mike Defensor, Congresswoman Annie Rosa Susano, and city Councilor Ariel Inton.

Now 77 years old, Mathay said he is confident he can still handle the rigors of running the city government.

?All I need is a pen and paper to give the right orders and political decisions. I won?t be the one who will actually carry the blocks to build a new building,? he quipped.

Running as an independent candidate, Mathay said he believes Quezon City residents would still choose him if they were to decide for themselves.

He was succeeded in 2001 by incumbent city Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who is now seeking a congressional post in the city?s fourth district.

During his filing of his candidacy papers last year, Mathay said he is returning to his old post to continue his brand of public service. One of the highlights of his platform is to rationalize the city government?s spending program to meet the demands of the expanding population.

Part of Mathay?s platform will include revitalized programs on health, education, housing and peace and order and creating new jobs.

?We need to expand commercial and business centers similar to Eastwood City and Metro Centro in Cubao, revise the income tax structure and improve business services to entice startups,? he said.

Mathay added that he is planning to revive a medical hospitalization assistance program and expand Medicare coverage.