Quezon City mayoral candidate Michael “Mike” Defensor has called on Filipinos to go out and vote on Monday, May 9, saying they should not forfeit their right to choose the country’s future leaders.
“We implore all registered voters to go out and cast their ballots on Monday. We all should exercise our right to elect our leaders – from the president all the way down to councilors,” Defensor said in a statement on Sunday.
“People should not surrender their right to vote. Those who abstain from voting will in effect be enabling others – those who will actually cast their ballots – to decide for them,” Defensor, an incumbent member of Congress, said.
Defensor is running for mayor of Quezon City – the country’s largest city by population and by registered voters – with former Rep. Winnie Castelo as vice mayoral running mate.
The Defensor-Castelo tandem is being supported by former Quezon City mayor and now senatorial candidate Herbert “Bistek” Bautista.
The city’s major political families, such as the Mathays and the Libans, have also rallied behind the tandem.
The Defensor-Castelo team up likewise enjoys the backing of presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice-presidential running mate Sara “Inday” Duterte.
Grouped under the Malayang Quezon City banner, the tandem has a full slate of candidates for the city’s six congressional districts.
They are re-electionist Rep. Anthony Peter “Onyx” Crisologo (first district); re-electionist Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo (second district); re-electionist Rep. Allan Benedict Reyes (third district); Councilor Marvin Rillo (fourth district); newcomer Rose Lin (fifth district); and former Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo (sixth district).