Quimbo left speechless by housing chief’s response

Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo | PHOTO: Facebook page of Teacher Stella Quimbo

MANILA, Philippines — In what appeared to be a light moment after hours of grueling budget deliberations, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo was left speechless and was seen holding her laughter after asking Housing Secretary Jerry Acuzar why housing projects in her city have been slow-paced.

At the House of Representatives committee on appropriations’ hearing on the proposed 2025 budget for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) late Wednesday night, Quimbo asked why socialized housing under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) in nearby San Mateo town are nearly finished when the one in Marikina has lagged.

Acuzar’s response? It is because the local government unit (Marikina) is slow.

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“If I remember it right, we felt lucky in Marikina because 4PH was launched in our city, right? I told Usec. Garry (de Guzman), who still sported a shorter hair. I was watching the video, every other sites have risen already, and even the site in our neighboring town of San Mateo is nearly complete. But for us in Marikina, it has not started yet?” Quimbo said.

“Mabagal ‘yong LGU (The LGU is slow),” Acuzar replied.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who was presiding over the hearing, laughed and gestured at Quimbo, who was shocked and momentarily left speechless.

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Turned away

Quimbo then turned away from the microphone, and the live stream then panned to hearing participants who were also laughing over Acuzar’s answer.

Seconds later, Quimbo said: “Mr. Chair, I do not have any other question. Good night to us all.”

None of the lawmakers and resource persons clarified why they were laughing, but Marikina’s LGU is currently headed by Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, whose wife, Marikina Rep. Marjorie Ann Teodoro, is expected to run for mayor in the 2025 midterm polls.

Interestingly, in a previous interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Quimbo said that she will run for Marikina’s mayoral post.

It is still unknown if Quimbo’s husband, former Marikina lawmaker Miro Quimbo, and Mayor Teodoro would seek a congressional post in their respective district.

On Tuesday, Miro Quimbo joined the political party Lakas-CMD, which is headed by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.