\J{EDNESDAY / APRI 3, 2019

WWW.INQUIRER.NET

Bemo-nte, Ba utista e nd rift b ut...

QG mayorsurprises 3-terln r-unningmatebyshowingup unexpectedlyatherproclamation rally
ariftwith Bautista,
spoke about
saying they were "not on
spealdng terms."
The root of their coDflict,
Belmonte. said then, might be
By Mariejo S. namos attributed to their different
@MariejoRamosINQ leadership styles.
"Maybe [Bautista] was used
Unexpected but welcome was to seeing a rubber stamp politi-
how Quezon City Vice Mayor cian who would iust follow or-
Joy Belmonte described the ap- ders or sign documents with-
pearance of Mayor Herbert out questions, but I'm not a
"Bistek" Bautista, whom she rubber stardp vice mayor," she
had not spokeh to in years due explained.
to a rift, at her proclamation .
Another reason, Belmonte
rally last week. had added, was her refusal to
"It [was] a welcome surprise sign contracts for infrastrtrc-
and lit was] touching to receive ture proj€cts that were already
his support " Belmonte told the implemented even before her
r
Inquirer on Tu€gday. office had a chance to review
She said that she was all set these.
to kick off her campaign for the
city's highest post without Belated r;atization
Bautista's support .although, "But on stage the mayor
outofcourtesy, she invited him ,m F;-a:r1|x s' !* said, 'I finally understood wh]f
to the proclamatioRrally. ToGETI'lER AGAIN Quezon City's two top officials, Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor the vice mayor was very strict.
"But I would have appreci- Joy Belmonte, share the stage again after they had a falling out. -coNrRBUrED PHoro The vice mayor was iust trying
ated it more had he done it at a to protect me.' I thought he
time when I needed it the most would never understand lmy
the way my entire family sup- sorties when the latter was mdyor, Joy Belmonte," he told Sonny Belmonte for three actionsl," she said.
ported his candidacy before," running for mayor. the crowd. terms from 2oo1to 2o1o. Belmonte's running mate is
she said. Bautista surprised his run- "When he raised my hand, I Councilor Gian Sotto, son of
ning mate of three terms when Bistek cites mentor saw a lotofpebple [in] the aqdi- Senate President Tito Sotto.
All-outsupport . he showed up at the launching Bautista, who is on his last ence cried because maybe, they Their team will be pitted
)rding to BeJmonte, hr
According her of her mayoral bid on Friday. term, also praised Belmonte for were hurt [by] what happened against Rep. Vincent "Bing-
fether, former House Speaker He raised her hand and ex- taking after her mother, pub- to us and seeing us together bong" Crisologo and Ns running
and incumbent 4th District pressed support for her Ser- lisher Betty Go-Belmonte, and was a relief for them," said Bel- mate,lawyerjopet Sisor; as well \
Rep. Felicianq ,'lsonnyf' Be[- bisyo sa Bayan Party tickgt. acknowledged her father as his monte. as tlre tandem of fornler $ep, ,eAq€
"I was not at the masl earli- mentor. In-aforufi wiih Inquirer ed- Chuck Matlay III and Cbuncilor
er but I always pray for oirr next He served as vice mayor to itors earli{\ this month, she Roderick Paulate. INQ A/o