Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 2) — The mayoral race in Quezon City continues to heat up with Rep. Mike Defensor challenging incumbent Mayor Joy Belmonte to a debate following the latter’s recent tirades.
“In the spirit of fair play and to heighten voter awareness, I am inviting Mayor Joy to a debate on the issues that she raised and on other concerns that affect the future of Quezon City,” Defensor said in a statement on Saturday.
In the statement, the Anakalusugan representative said he was “attacked” by the mayor over his role in denying the renewal of ABS-CBN franchise and in the distribution of ivermectin to fight COVID-19 last year.
“At the start of the local campaign for the coming May 9 elections, in a bid to prop up her own candidacy, Mayor Joy Belmonte attacked me on two issues that she believes would work against me. The first concerns the decision of Congress to deny ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. a legislative franchise, and the second concerns our distribution of ivermectin at the height of the pandemic,” he said.
Belmonte, who is seeking a second term in the May polls, raised the closure of the broadcast giant during her proclamation last week.
The incumbent mayor said Defensor prioritized shutting down ABS-CBN which is based in Quezon City, forcing the company to lay off thousands of workers at the onset of the pandemic.
According to the latest survey covering Metro Manila mayoral races released by Publicus Asia, Belmonte was still leading with 40% in March. However, the figure was down from her 57% rating in February.
Defensor, meanwhile, earned 24% of the vote.
The poll was conducted from March 16 to 21 among 1,648 registered voters in Metro Manila. A total of 100 residents were asked in each Metro Manila city and 48 from the Municipality of Pateros.
Responding to Defensor, Quezon City spokesperson Pia Morato called the debate challenge “silly.”
“The motive behind Congressman Defensor’s debate challenge to Mayor Joy Belmonte is quite clear: since his lack of actual performance has made him forgettable, he hopes to elevate his status and earn media mileage by sharing the same stage with a well-admired public servant,” Morato said in a statement.
Morato also stressed Quezon City residents will not benefit from the debate, claiming this would only serve as “a venue to grandstand and spread more fake news.”
She said Belmonte is “more than happy” to present her plans for the city without “any of these theatrics.”
“Finally, the good Congressman may have forgotten that he has lost all credibility to issue any challenges. Previously, he proposed a childish resignation challenge’ about supposed irregularities that the Commission on Audit (COA) found out about Quezon City. Even though the COA itself repeatedly debunked these accusations, Congressman Defensor still enjoys all the perks and budgets of a sitting Party-list Representative, and has not resigned,” Morato added.
