Belmonte beats Sotto, Moreno in Metro survey

BY JALEEN RAMOS

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto may have been recognized by American President Joe Biden’s administration as one of 12 global anticorruption champions.

But the honor of being the top performing executive in the National Capital Region belongs to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.

In a recent survey, Belmonte did not only beat Sotto but also the popular Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno.

Belmonte got the highest approval rating of 86 percent while Sotto and Moreno followed suit with 83 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

The independent and non-commissioned survey was conducted by RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMDinc) through face-to-face interviews with 3,500 respondents.

“Reviewing the comments given by the respondents — innovations in reaching and addressing constituents’ concern during pandemic, social welfare services, ease in doing business and transactions at city hall, and hands-on mayor made Belmonte as the top NCR Mayor,” said Dr. Paul Martinez of RPMDinc.

In a statement, US State Department recognized Sotto as “a standard-bearer for a new generation of Philippine politicians who prioritize anticorruption and transparency initiatives in their election campaigns and in office.”

Following the three mayors are Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela City with 76 percent then Marikina’s Marcelino Teodoro (75), Taguig’s Lino Cayetano (69), Makati S Abigail Binay (68), Navotas’ Toby Tiangco (65), Mandaluyong’s Carmelita Abalos (58), San Juan’s Francis Zamora (55) and Muntinlupa’s Jaime Fresnedi (51).

“Overall, almost all NCR Mayors approval ratings improved compared to the previous surveys.

However, of the 17 NCR mayors, only 11 were given a passing rate by their constituents.

The top 5 NCR mayors are doing a great job. Not only that they were able to maintain their rankings, but they also increased positively from +1% to +3% points, and the highest gainers are Moreno and Teodoro +3%,” said Dr. Paul Martinez of RPMDinc.

Low approval ratings were recorded in Pasay City with 33 percent, Malabon with 35 percent, and Las Pinas with 37 percent.

The respondents were also asked if they would vote for their mayors if they run for re-election.

Sotto got the highest rating at 80 percent, followed by Belmonte, 76 percent; Moreno, 75 percent; Teodoro, 67 percent; Cayetano, 60 percent; Binay, 62 percent; Tiangco, 58 percent; and Abalos, 53 percent.

The survey was conducted from February 20-28. The respondents are registered voters and residents of Metro Manila, with ages 18 to 70.