By Claire Morales True and Jennifer T. Santos

QUEZON CITY/MANILA – Mayor Joy Belmonte, Josefina Belmonte-Alimurong in real life, won by landslide her third and final term as mayor of Quezon City, the country’s richest city with annual revenue of P40 billion in 2025 and biggest city in terms of population (almost three million).

Also winning by landslides in Metro are returning Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, 50, more popularly known by his actor name Isko Moreno,and reelectionist Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, 35, whose real name is Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto.

Most of reelectionist mayors in Metro Manila, one of whom, Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian, was unopposed, meanwhile, won new three-year terms.

In Makati, outgoing Sen. Lourdes Nancy Binay, routed her brother-in-law, Rep. Luis Campos, in the mayoralty race, while former Mayor Carmelita Menchie Abalos is returning to the post now occupied by father in law, Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr.

Meanwhile, outgoing Sen. Cynthia Aguilar got a shock defeat from Councilor Mark Santos for the lone congressional district of Las Pinas. The senator’s candidates for mayor and vice mayor also lost to members of the Aguilar clan.

Banking on strong performance as city executive, Belmonte made history by getting 1,030,730 votes out of 1,454,411 registered voters. Her runningmate, reelectionist Vice Mayor Gian Carlo Sotto, also won by landslide with 938,686 votes.

In Manila, former mayor Francisco Domagoso, who is popularly known by his actor’s name Isko Moreno, also won by landslide, beating Manila Mayor Sheila Honey Lacuna and party-list Rep. Sam Verzosa.

Moreno won the mayoralty race with 529,507 votes, overwhelming Lacuna’s 190,286 and Verzosa’s 163,821.

Moreno’s running mate, journalist and TV host Angela Lei Chi Atienza Valdepenas, roundly defeated Lacuna’s tandem, actor and reelectionist Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto.

In Manila’s congressional races, several candidates from Moreno’s slate secured victories. Reelectionist Rep. Ernix Dionisio won in the 1st district, while Councilor Joey Uy clinched the congressional seat in the 6th district, trouncing reelectionist Rep. Bievenido Benny Abante.

In Pasig City, Mayor Sotto was reelected for his third and final term after garnering 286,897 votes, defeating businesswoman Sarah Discaya, who got 24,163 votes.

Pasig Vice Mayor Robert Dodot Jaworski Jr. also retained his seat with 237,117 votes, trouncing Discaya’s running mate, Iyo Caruncho Bernardo, received 58,841 votes.

In Makati City, outgoing Sen. Binay won the mayoralty race over District 2 Rep. Luis Campos. Nancy obtained 114,898 votes, according to the Comelec’s official count, trouncing Campos by 29,000 votes.

Nancy will succeed her sister, three-term Mayor Abby Binay, who lost in the Senate race after landing in the 15th place, based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s count.

Makati District 2 Rep. Romulo Kid Peña Jr., Campos’ running mate, won the vice mayoralty race with over 146,000 votes, defeating actor and sportsman Monsour del Rosario.

Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo will succeed Campos as Makati’s first district representative.

In Paranaque City, Rep. Edwin Olivarez will return as mayor winning by landslide of over 140,000 votes against Drew Uy who got 60,000 votes, while his brother Mayor Eric Olivarez will return as congressman. District 2 Rep. Gus Tambunting, meanwhile, was ousted by Bicol Saro Rep. Brian Yamsuan by over 9,000 votes.

In Muntinlupa, Mayor Rozzano Ruffy Biazon won a second term as he ran unopposed.

Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano was also reelected.

Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce will hand over the reins to former vice mayor Gerald German.

In San Juan, Mayor Francis Zamora won his third and final term with 57,998 votes against former basketball star and former mayor Philip Cezar, who received 8,340 votes. Vice Mayor Angelo Agcaoili was reelected after garnering 36,911 votes against Candy Crisologo’s 14,147.

Rep. Ysabel Bel Zamora Jornada of the lone district of San Juan also won a second term with 44,545 votes against Jana Ejercito’s 22,403.

In Marikina, Rep. Marjorie Ann Maan Teodoro won over Rep. Stella Quimbo after securing 142,814 votes against the solon’s 111,420 votes.

 Rep. Teodoro’s husband, outgoing Mayor Marcelino Marcy Teodoro won in a congressional race against outgoing Sen. Aquilino Pimentel but the Comelec stopped his proclamation pending resolution of a disqualification case.

Quimbo’s husband, former Rep. Miro Quimbo, meanwhile, won in the first congressional district now represented by the lady lawmaker.

In Caloocan, Mayor Dale Gonzalo Along Malapitan was proclaimed the winner after garnering 266,372 votes, defeating former senator Antonio Trillanes IV who obtained 175,291 votes. Malapitan’s running mate, Vice Mayor Karina Teh, was also reelected.

In Malabon, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval secured a second term with 120,757 votes against former representative Jaye Lacson-Noel’s 65,496 votes.

Sandoval’s running mate, Edward Nolasco, won the vice mayoralty race with 73,302 votes, beating actress Angelika de la Cruz, Jap Garcia and Dado Cunana.

In Navotas, Mayor John Rey Tiangco was proclaimed winner after running unopposed with 116,582 votes. His running mate, Vice Mayor Tito Sanchez, also ran unchallenged and got 107,587 votes.

Navotas Rep. Tobias Toby Tiangco was reelected to Congress with 113,099 votes, defeating challenger Tony Ibanez.

In Valenzuela, Mayor Wes Gatchalian was reelected for a second term after receiving 295,876 votes, running unopposed. His running mate, Marlon Alejandrino, won as vice mayor with 244,708 votes.

In the congressional races, Kenneth Gatchalian won in Valenzuela’s District 1 with 80,410 votes, edging out Tony Espiritu with 79,629 votes. In District 2, independent candidate and incumbent Councilor Gerald Galang won with 95,878 votes, beating Kat Martinez, who got 80,490 votes.