Ex-Ombudsman Carpio-Morales endorses Stella Quimbo for Marikina mayor

Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Teacher Stella Quimbo

MANILA, Philippines – Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has endorsed the candidacy of Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, who is currently running for mayor of Marikina, calling her a “rare leader with both heart and competence” at a time when the city faces major challenges.

Morales, who served as Ombudsman from 2011 to 2018, said Quimbo’s track record in public service, integrity, and governance makes her the best choice for Marikina’s future.

“I’ve seen how damaging it is when the wrong people hold public office. Stella is different. She’s clean, capable, and deeply committed to serving the people,” Morales said in a statement.

Quimbo, a former commissioner of the Philippine Competition Commission and a respected academic, is running to replace the incumbent mayor amid growing concerns over Marikina’s rising debt, worsening flooding, and increasing pressure on healthcare and education systems.

“Hindi ito panahon ng pagsubok-subok lang [This is not the time for mere trial and error],” Morales stressed. “Marikina needs a leader who knows what she’s doing.”

As a lawmaker, Quimbo helped author landmark legislation like the Universal Healthcare Law and bills promoting education reform and fair budget allocations. “In all her years in government, she has never faced a single case of corruption,” Morales said.

Quimbo comes from a family of academics and public servants. Her mother, Estrella Alabastro, once served as Secretary of Science and Technology, but Stella Quimbo chose a quiet and consistent path of public service rather than using her privilege for personal gain.

The former Ombudsman’s endorsement adds significant weight to Quimbo’s campaign. Morales, known for her fierce anti-corruption stance, previously received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 2016, widely regarded as Asia’s Nobel Prize.

READ: Quimbo says they’re running due to blocked projects in Marikina

In a final message to voters, Morales urged Marikeños not to waste the opportunity. “Leaders like Stella Luz Quimbo don’t come often. Let’s not waste this chance,” she said.

The elections are seen as pivotal for Marikina, a city still recovering from economic setbacks and the devastation of recent typhoons such as Ulysses in 2020, which exposed the city’s urgent need for strong leadership and resilience planning.