In a thanksgiving concert attended by over 17,167 District 5 Quezon City residents, Mayor Joy Belmonte affirmed her full support for PM Vargas, younger brother of Rep. Alfred Vargas who is ending his nine-year stint as a member of the House of Representatives and is running as a Councilor now.
PM Vargas who is an incumbent Councilor of the city and ran under the ticket of Belmonte in 2019 has been a very close ally and confidant of the Belmonte Team. Vargas initially headed the Infrastructure Committee of the Local Government Unit of Quezon City. This until the pandemic struck in late 2019/ early 2020 when he was additionally tasked to actively lead the groundwork for livelihood and health programs of the City. PM Vargas is the Chair of the Novaliches Branch of the Red Cross even before becoming Councilor and established the first blood bank in the city.
Mayor Joy Belmonte announced to the gathered crowd: Ang Congressman ko ay Lalaki! -before introducing PM Vargas. Vargas in turn proclaimed: “Ang Mayor ko ay Babae!” Eliciting the applause of the thousands-strong crowd.
Vargas said that the partnership with Mayor Joy has been dynamic and the leadership she has brought to the table has been sterling. She knows what she is doing and COA reports have affirmed the fact that there has been no corruption in the handling of city finances for the various projects in Quezon City. Vargas said: “I will make sure that as a Representative of Quezon City in Congress, there will be seamless interaction between the LGU and Congress! This has been proven in the term of Rep Alfred Vargas and I will even strengthen this relationship for the benefit of the citizens of District 5 constituents in particular, and Quezon City residents as a whole!”
The concert held in Novaliches saw the performances of leading artists like rapper Loonie, Kris Bernal, Dianne Medina, Rodjun Cruz, Jennie Gabriel, and Tuesday Vargas, with band performances from Agsunta and The Juans. Among the celebrities who hosted the well-attended concert were Pekto, Gene Padilla, Max Collins, Betong Sumaya, and MC Muah and Lassy of Beks Battalion.
For her endorsement of PM Vargas, GMA-7 actress Max Collins remarked, “Naging challenge itong pandemic para sa ating lahat, ‘di ba. Maraming, maraming salamat dahil sa tulong ni Congressman PM Vargas. Simula pa lang nagbigay na siya ng ayuda para sa kanyang mga kababayan. Nakatawid talaga sila dahil sa tulong ni Congressman PM Vargas sa kanyang pinaglilingkurang District 5. Solid!”
PM Vargas in turn thanked the Mayor and the artists for their endorsement. He also told the gathered crowd that he will be focusing on improving their lives with job opportunities, strengthened medical benefits, and educational scholarships.
Vargas is currently the leading candidate for Congressman in the said District and is in a race with Rose Nono Lin of Pharmally fame, Veteran Annie Susano, and Inday Esplana among others.
