MANILA -- A total of 1,330,118 voters are expected to troop to clustered polling precincts in Quezon City, including the populous Novaliches, Batasan, Fairview and Tandang Sora areas, in connection with the mid-term elections on Monday.
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Records and Statistics Division, the city has the largest number of registered voters among the 16 cities and one town comprising the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metropolitan Manila.
The former capital city of the country is the biggest local government unit (LGU) in the NCR in terms of population and land area. It has 142 barangays divided into six congressional/city districts. These barangays have a total population of 2,936,116 as of the 2015 national census.
There are 37 barangays in the first district, five in the second district, 37 in the third district, 38 in the fourth district, 14 in the fifth district, and 11 in the sixth district.
Come election day, voters will elect a mayor, a vice mayor, six members of the House of Representatives and 36 councilors, in addition to a dozen senators and one party-list group.
The Comelec office in Quezon City said a total of 96 candidates are competing for the 36 seats in the Quezon City Council in Monday’s mid-term elections.
The city’s second district, although consisting of just five barangays, has the biggest number of aspirants with 22; followed by the sixth district with 18; third district with 17; and first, fourth and fifth districts with 13 candidates each.
The second district is composed of the populous barangays of Batasan, Commonwealth, Holy Spirit, Bagong Silangan, and Payatas. These barangays were weaned in 2012 from the former Novaliches district which is now called city’s fifth district.
There are 10 candidates competing for the city’s top elective post to be vacated by Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista on June 30.
Leading these mayoralty aspirants are incumbent Vice Mayor Joy G. Belmonte, daughter of former House Speaker Feliciano C. Belmonte Jr.; and outgoing Quezon City 1st district Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Crisologo was also a former councilor of the first district for two terms (1998-2004) before he was elected as congressman for four terms of three years each, the latest from 2016 up to the present.
The eight other candidates are former 2nd District Rep. Ismael “Chuck” Mathay III of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP); Romeo Acebedo (independent); Esmeraldo Ding Balosa (Ind.); Alex Lague (Philippine Green Republic Party); Emma Orozco (Ind.); Andy Rosales (Ind.); Teodoro Rusios (Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan-Democratic Party of the Philippines); and Henry E. Samonte (Labor Party of the Philippines).
Six candidates are vying for the vice mayor’s post to be vacated by the younger Belmonte. Leading them are former 4th district Councilor Jopet Sison of PDP-Laban; incumbent Councilor Gian Sotto of Serbisyo sa Bayan Party (SBP); and outgoing Councilor Roderick Paulate (KDP) .
The three other aspirants for the city’s second highest elective position are: Allan Bantilo of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL); Rolando Jota (LPP); and Cinderella Ladisla (PDDS-DPP).
Meanwhile, 21 candidates are vying for the six congressional districts of the city. There are three aspirants in the first district; five in the second district; three in the third district; two in the fourth district; five in the fifth district; and three in the sixth district.
Those running in the first district are: incumbent 1st district Councilor Anthony Peter “Onyx” Crisologo of PDP-Laban; former Councilor Tita Beth Delarmente of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC); and Andres Samson (independent).
In the second district, vying for the seat to be vacated by outgoing Rep. Winnie Castelo are: Winsell Beltran-Cordora (PDP-Laban); outgoing councilor Precious Hipolito-Castelo (NPC); Virgilio Garcia (Ind.); former Rep. Dante V. Liban (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas); and Mary Ann Susano (KDP).
The three candidates from the third district are: former Councilor Dante de Guzman (PDP-Laban); Jesse Dignadice (Pderalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan); and Allan Benedict Reyes (PFP).
Running for House of Representatives members in the fourth district are: Kit Rodriguez (PDP-Laban), and Councilor Jesus “Bong” Suntay (NPC).
Challenging the reelection bid of incumbent 5th district Rep. Alfred Vargas of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) are: Angelito Francisco (Ind.), Elenor Francisco (Lakas), Victor Francisco (Ind.), and former Kaligayahan Barangay Chairman Rey Miranda (PDP-Laban).
In the sixth district, reelectionist Rep. Christopher “Kit” Belmonte (Liberal Party) is facing Johnny Domino of PDP-Laban and Maria Cecilia Fabilane of PDDS. (PNA)
