The Iglesia Ni Cristo has endorsed Joy Belmonte, a candidate running for mayor of Quezon City in this month’s midterm elections.
Belmonte, who is on her third term as vice mayor, thanked the INC for its support.
“I was informed on Monday that the INC will support me and the majority of the candidates in my slate,” Belmonte said on Thursday.
“This is very, very good news for us, and of course for Quezon City, because we are committed to our promise of giving selfless, top-notch service that will benefit the city’s residents.
“Kaya nagpapasalamat ako kay kapatid na Eduardo V. Manalo at sa buong kapatiran ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa buong-pusong suporta nila sa atin. Isa po itong malaking karangalan sapagkat ang pangunahing templo at ang opisina ng INC ay nandito mismo sa Quezon City.”
When asked why she thought the INC gave her the endorsement over the other mayoralty candidates, Belmonte said she believed the support of the majority of the people of Quezon City was with her.
“We are overwhelmed by the support we have been receiving across all groups in Quezon City, and I think the INC shares our vision of wanting the city to keep developing to bring more progress down to the people,” Belmonte said.
She attributed the endorsement to her clean track record and to the successful programs she had implemented as vice mayor.
“I personally will not take this for granted. If elected, I will make sure that my platform for inclusive development is felt by all,” Belmonte said.
“We will improve and eradicate corruption in the city services. We will implement the projects that directly benefit the poor and marginalized.”
Belmonte said the INC endorsement was proof that the voters were receptive to her platform despite the black propaganda being used against her in the runup to the May 13 elections.
In the most recent survey conducted by RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. from May 4 to 8, 2019, with 8,000 registered voters, Belmonte widened her lead over her primary opponents, Rep. Vincent Crisologo and Ismael Mathay III.
READ: INC endorses Romualdez, Tingog, Imee