Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) governor Felipe Medalla expressed his strong support for Rep. Stella Quimbo’s mayoral bid, calling her “exceptional both intellectually and professionally.”
Medalla, who also served as former NEDA Director-General under the Aquino administration, also pushed back against personal attacks on Rep. Quimbo’s lifestyle.
“She had money long before she became a politician. Noong professor pa siya, maganda na ang consulting income niya—mas malaki pa sa sahod niya sa UP. Magaling kasi siya eh, respected sa field, kaya malaki ang kita. Hindi masama para sa isang tao to have a few luxuries now and then. The fact na maganda ang bag niya should not be taken against her?” he said in an endorsement video.
Medalla spent decades as a professor and dean at the University of the Philippines School of Economics, where he worked closely with Quimbo.
“I find it very sad that kung lalaki may bling-bling at magandang relo, walang tanong. Pero pag babae may magandang bag, issue agad. As far as I know, her integrity is quite high. I’m almost 100 percent sure kinita niya ’yon,” he added.
Quimbo, who championed economic reform and health financing, earlier said her decision to run for mayor was to address the city’s ballooning liabilities that threaten basic services and long-term growth.
“Hindi sapat ang mabuting intensyon kung kulang sa kakayahan. Marikina needs a mayor who can be both a fiscal watchdog and an economic strategist. Someone who understands numbers, but more importantly, knows how to turn numbers into real programs for people,” Quimbo said.
Medalla added: “Stella is very analytical. She’ll know if a proposal is cost-effective or not, kung totoo ang benefit sa tao. Importante ’yan sa isang mayor—kasi di lang ito leadership sa pakiramdam. Kailangan may talino rin sa pera, sa budget, at sa long-term planning.”
“Hindi ako taga-Marikina, pero masasabi ko sa mga taga-Marikina: Mapapalad kayo na may taong tulad ni Stella na gusto maging mayor ng inyong siyudad.”
