Ex-Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando endorses Quimbo, Pimentel

Former Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando endorses Team Bagong Marikina

Former Marikina City Mayor Marides “MCF” Fernando, wife of the late mayor and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando, has endorsed Team Bagong Marikina for the upcoming local elections.

The team is led by incumbent Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, who is running for mayor, former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as 1st district congressional candidate, and former Rep. Miro Quimbo, who is seeking a return as 2nd district congressman.

Joining them on the slate are former Mayor Del De Guzman as vice mayoral candidate and others vying for city councilor positions from both districts.

Fernando, who served as Marikina mayor from 2001 to 2010, remains a respected figure in the city’s political landscape. In 2008, she was recognized internationally as one of the 11 finalists of the prestigious World Mayor Award, ranking seventh overall—just behind Helen Zille of Cape Town, South Africa.

Her endorsement was made during the “Ugnayan sa Pamayanan” (USAP) event with the Pink Ladies and Marikina Women Power held at the Concepcion 2 Q Civic Center. The event gathered women leaders and sectoral representatives for a dialogue on the future of governance and leadership in the city.

Fernando declared her full support for Rep. Quimbo’s candidacy.

“Buo ang suporta ko kay Teacher Stella—she is the most qualified to be the next Marikina Mayor!” she said.

“Simula ngayon, maghikayat ng 100 pa para kay Teacher Stella at sa Bagong Marikina!” she added.

(I fully support Teacher Stella—she is the most qualified to be the next Mayor of Marikina! Starting today, let’s each encourage 100 more people to support Teacher Stella and the New Marikina.)

Mayoral frontrunner Stella Quimbo addresses the crowd during the Team Bagong Marikina rally.

Last year, Pimentel visited Fernando at her residence in Barangay Industrial Valley Complex.

“Courtesy call on one of Marikina’s best mayors, Mayor ‘MCF’ Marides Fernando,” he said in a social media post. “A visionary mayor and someone who values palabra de honor.”

In response to the endorsement, Pimentel expressed his gratitude.

“Maraming salamat former Mayor ‘MCF’ Marides Fernando for your very valuable endorsement today for Team Bagong Marikina at Kilos Pagbabago!” he said.

(Many thanks to former Mayor Marides ‘MCF’ Fernando for your invaluable endorsement today for Team Bagong Marikina and Kilos Pagbabago.)

Use Your KOKOte: Senator Koko Pimentel poses with supporters

Rep. Quimbo also paid tribute to MCF’s legacy.

“Hindi ko po makakalimutan kung paanong kayo at si BF ang nagturo sa amin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng maayos na pamamahala — ‘yung may direksyon, may disiplina, pero laging may puso.”

(I will never forget how you and BF taught us what good governance truly means — one with direction, with discipline, but always with heart.)

Mayor Fernando also reiterated that under a Quimbo leadership, the Marikina Women’s Council would be revived—a once vibrant coalition of over 50 women’s organizations that has since disappeared in recent years.

She said the council had long been a vital platform for empowering women and ensuring their voice in policymaking and community development.

“Sa Bagong Marikina, ibabalik natin ang sigla, boses, at kapangyarihan ng kababaihan!” Quimbo said.

(In the New Marikina, we will restore the vibrance, voice, and power of women.)