In oath-taking ceremonies at the Amoranto Multi-Purpose Hall in Barangay Obrero on 19 November 2009, QC Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte and Vice-Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista, along with several other incumbent officials and candidates, formally joined the Liberal Party. The oaths were administered by no less than the LP’s current standard bearer for the 2010 elections, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and his running mate, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

The mayor’s daughter, Joy Belmonte, who will run for the vice-mayoral post alongside Bautista, was also present to take the oath of membership in the LP, as were city councilors Jaime Borres, Candy Medina, Joseph Juico, Dante de Guzman, Bolet Banal, Resty Malangen, Bayani Hipol, and Winston Castelo.

Mayor Belmonte is said to be thinking of running for a congressional seat in next year’s derby, representing the fourth district of QC.

Mayor Belmonte joins Caloocan’s Enrico “Recom” Echiverri and Manila’s Alfredo Lim as LP stalwarts, leading to speculation that the party is now tightening its grip on the votes coming from the National Capital Region. He was formerly part of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, serving as its executive vice president for external affairs.