February 18, 2010. Filipino Matters co-organized Usapang Mayor sa QC, a public forum where candidates for Quezon City’s top post were given a venue to discuss their programs and platforms and answer questions and issues raised on them. Among the candidates who came to the event were incumbent Vice Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista, former Rep. Michael “Mike” Defensor, John Charles Chang, Majority Floor Leader Councilor Ariel Inton and former Mayor Ismael “Mel” Mathay Jr. The event was held at the Assembly Hall of the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG), University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. More than 200 participants, including students, representatives from NGOs , POs and local business community, barangay officials, concerned citizens and community leaders and the media came to hear the vision and proposed projects of the candidates. This excludes the more than a hundred supporters of the candidates who had to camp outside the venue as they were no longer accommodated because of the Assembly Hall’s limited seats. The organized forum enabled the audience to listen and carefully assess the accomplishments, promises and platforms of each candidate. We hope that through this venue, the city’s constituents will be more informed in making their choices come election day.

Usapang Mayor sa QC was a joint undertaking of the UP-NCPAG, Association of Graduate Students and Alumni of NCPAG, UP Samahan Tungo sa Progresibong Administrasyon (a student organization) and Filipino Matters (as an organizer-representative from the civil society). The Center for Local and Regional Governance also helped in inviting barangay officials. 

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