MANILA, Philippines- Personal na inendorso ni dating Quezon City 6th District Representative Kit Belmonte nitong Martes si Marikina mayoral candidate Stella Quimbo na inilarawan niya bilang isang bihirang kombinasyon ng “brilliance, conviction, and compassion.”
“Kilala ko si Stella simula pa noong mga araw niya sa UP. This is personal,” sabi ni Belmonte.
“And nalulungkot ako na dahil sa politika at kontrobersiya, nalulunod at hindi nakikita ang totoong karakter ng isang magaling na tao at public servant.”
Tinuligsa rin ni Belmonte ang pagdami ng disinformation laban kay Quimbo, na tinawag itong pagbaluktot ng katotohanan.
“Fake news is painting a picture that is not the true Stella, or at least, not the Stella I know.”
Binigyang-diin ni Belmonte ang tatlong bagay tungkol kay Quimbo:
“First, Stella is smart. Almost too smart for her own good. A genius, in fact. Second, she is driven, she pursues what is right even when it is unpopular. And third, she is all heart. She throws herself completely into everything she does, believing that it can help change lives.”
Bilang kapwa miyembro ng Kongreso, ibinahagi ni Belmonte na nanindigan siya kay Quimbo sa mga importanteng isyu tulad ng pagtutol sa Anti-Terror Law, pagtatanggol sa ABS-CBN, at paghahanap ng hustisya para sa mga biktima ng drug war.
“Minsan magka-kampi kami, minsan magka-debate. Pero kahit kailan, hindi ko matatawaran ang talino at paninindigan ni Stella,” sabi ni Belmonte.
Binigyang-diin din ni Belmonte ang papel ni Quimbo sa pagtuklas ng multi-bilyong pisong anomalya sa PhilHealth sa panahon ng pandemya.
Giit ni Belmonte, maaring patuloy pa rin ang kurakot sa PhilHealth kung wala si Quimbo.
“Kung wala si Stella, baka hanggang ngayon tuloy pa rin ang ligaya ng mga kurakot sa PhilHealth. She was one of the few legislators who actually worked tirelessly during the pandemic—crafting economic stimulus packages, ensuring healthcare budgets were spent properly, and pushing for accessible vaccines.”
“The true test of character is whether you show up in the hardest times. During the Duterte years, many disappeared or crossed sides. Stella never did. She stayed. She fought. Not for headlines, but for the people.”
“I may not always agree with her on every issue. But I believe in her leadership and in her character. With Stella, you can always count on three things—her mind, her heart, and her unwavering commitment to serve.”
