Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte Steps In as Acting National President of LCP

MANILA — Following the suspension of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina ‘Joy’ Belmonte-Alimurung has been appointed as the acting national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).

According to Philippines News Agency, the national chairperson of the LCP, the decision was made to ensure the organization’s continuity. “To ensure the smooth operations and functioning of the league, the National Executive Board (NEB) resolved and recognized Mayor Belmonte-Alimurung as the acting national president of the LCP,” he stated in a release on Monday. The appointment was finalized during a special meeting of the NEB at the Westin Manila in Mandaluyong City on July 19.

The unanimous resolution adopted by the NEB members cites the temporary nature of Rama’s suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman but notes that it “hinders him from exercising his powers and authority as the mayor, including his representation in the LCP.” As such, Rama is currently unable to fulfill his duties as the national president of the LCP.

Mayor Belmonte-Alimurung, who previously held the position of executive vice president within the organization, will now lead the LCP during this interim period. The resolution was signed in the presence of deputy secretary general for the Visayas, Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo, replacing Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

On May 8, the Office of the Ombudsman imposed a six-month suspension on Mayor Rama and seven other officials from Cebu City due to allegations of non-payment of salaries to city hall employees, citing “grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest,” according to a 10-page resolution by Ombudsman Samuel Martires.