INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

Belmonte for Noynoy

Inquirer

Allison Lopez Margaux Ortiz

MANILA, Philippines -- Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., a member of the Lakas ruling coalition, is supporting the senatorial bid of Genuine Opposition (GO) candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Belmonte, who declared his support for Noynoy in a meeting with the city’s barangay leaders the other night, cited former President Corazon Aquino’s role in his ascent to public office. Noynoy is Aquino’s only son.

“On a personal basis, I support him,” Belmonte told reporters.

“But I believe the barangay leaders can decide for themselves whether to vote for him or not,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a formal announcement yesterday of his candidacy for mayor of Manila, Danny Lacuna said he and his “Yes Manila” ticket would focus on the people and not only on infrastructures.

Lacuna is currently vice mayor to third-term Mayor Lito Atienza, whose “Buhayin ang Maynila” program centers on the city’s rehabilitation.

The vice mayor will be pitted against the mayor’s son, Ali, in the May elections.

YES Manila stands for Youth and Experience sa Manila, which Lacuna said is a potent combination of his 27-year local government experience and the “youth” represented by his vice mayor, Councilor Isko Moreno, a former actor.

The YES Manila ticket is composed of members of the PDP-Laban, NPC, Kampi, Lakas and Liberal Party.

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