Liza Marcos Raises Eyebrows After Referring to Joy Belmonte as ‘Senator’
LIZA MARCOS – The First Lady sparked online speculation after calling Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte “Senator Joy” during a public event in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa on June 26.
The First Lady was in the area to join a rice distribution program for residents when she accidentally used the title while addressing the crowd. The brief remark immediately caught public attention, with many wondering whether it was simply a slip of the tongue or a hint that Belmonte could run for the Senate in the future.
After the event, reporters asked Liza Marcos if she would support Belmonte should she decide to seek a Senate seat. The First Lady did not give a direct answer and simply smiled, saying that the question should be asked to Mayor Belmonte herself. Her response fueled more discussion online, although she did not confirm or deny any political plans involving the mayor.
As of now, Joy Belmonte has not commented on the First Lady’s remark or addressed any speculation about a possible Senate bid. She has only expressed gratitude for the continued support and assistance that Quezon City has been receiving. There has also been no official announcement indicating that she plans to run for national office.
Meanwhile, Joy Belmonte is a politician who has served as the Mayor of Quezon City since 2019. Before becoming mayor, she served as the city’s Vice Mayor for nine years. She is the daughter of former House Speaker and former Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Before entering politics, she studied social sciences, museum studies, and archaeology, and later worked as an archaeologist and educator. As mayor, she has led programs focused on healthcare, education, environmental protection, social welfare, and improving public services. She was re-elected in 2022 and continues to lead Quezon City, one of the largest and most populated cities in the Philippines.