Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte continues father’s public service legacy

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte gets up close with a constituent. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte will continue the legacy in public service of her father, former House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. as she guns for the mayoralty in the May 2019 midterm elections.

When he himself was Quezon City mayor, Sonny Belmonte transformed Quezon City into the wealthiest city in the country by providing its residents with livelihood opportunities and other social services. He also improved the city’s roads system.

He accomplished all of these during the three years of his first term as mayor using only Quezon City’s ample financial resources.

Now Vice Mayor Belmonte is continuing her father’s legacy of service with her programs aimed at curbing the proliferation of illegal drugs through the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council, which she also heads.

It was also during her watch that the Quezon City Council, which she presides over as vice mayor, bagged for the third time the Most Outstanding Local Legislative Award from the National Capital Region office of the  Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Former Speaker of the House Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Vice Mayor Belmonte first showed her commitment to public service when, as a fresh college graduate, she served a poor community in Kadingilan town in Bukidnon as a volunteer teacher and champion of women’s rights.

Her father, now retiring from politics, sees Joy leading Quezon City backed by her credentials and vast experience.

The former Speaker says Vice Mayor Belmonte, if elected as mayor, would prove how capable and ready she is in facing the city’s challenges guided by an unwavering and uncompromising political and moral compass. /atm