Mayors Magalong, Sotto, and Belmonte meet up; what’s the next plan?

Baguio City, Philippines - Something interesting is happening in Philippine politics, and it involves three of the currently most admired mayors in the country - Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, and Quezon City Mayor Josefina Belmonte. 

These three mayors, all members of the “Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG”), recently had a meeting, and their supporters believe it wasn’t just a simple catch-up or congratulatory visit after the elections - they believe the meeting is the start of something bigger.    

The M4GG, in a Facebook post on May 27, shared photos of Magalong, Sotto, and Belmonte having a conversation. 

The post explained that the mayors discussed the recent elections and how they are preparing for their new terms. More importantly, they talked about strengthening the M4GG network, supporting fellow mayors and their local governments, and pushing forward the group’s core advocacy—transparency, integrity, and people-first service. 

“Napag-usapan ng ating tatlong convenors ang nagdaang halalan at ang kanilang paghahanda sa kanilang bagong termino. Gayundin, napag-usapan din nila ang pagpapalakas pa ng Mayors for Good Governance, pag-capacitate sa mga miyembrong alkalde at kanilang LGUs, at patuloy na pagsusulong ng mga adbokasiya nito, “ the group wrote.

What are these three mayors known for? 

The said mayors are known for doing things differently, but with one purpose—good governance. 

Mayor Magalong is best known for his strict anti-corruption stance and governance reforms in Baguio. He earned respect for bringing discipline and transparency to the city, drawing from his experiences as a former law enforcement officer to clean up City Hall and fight corruption head-on. 

Meantime, Mayor Belmonte is one of the most influential female leaders in the country today. She leads Quezon City with a steady focus on social services, equality, and responsible development. She is leading one of the country’s biggest cities with an inclusive and firm approach. 

Mayor Sotto, on the other hand, is the youngest of the three. He became a symbol of new politics with his no-nonsense leadership in Pasig and a strong stance against traditional patronage. He continues to earn praise for his data-driven, transparent, and youthful approach to leadership in Pasig. 

Together, these three mayors represent a new generation of local leaders that many Filipinos have been hoping for—less talk, more action. Their re-elections serve as a testament to their constituents’ approval of the service they have provided.