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Stella Quimbo

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In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Fagela, the birth surname or paternal family name is Alabastro, and the marital name is Quimbo.
Stella Quimbo
Quimbo in 2022, wearing pearl earrings and a turquoise satin Filipiniana against a blue background
Official portrait, 2022
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Marikina's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2019
Preceded byMiro Quimbo
Commissioner of the Philippine Competition Commission
In office
2016–2019
Appointed byBenigno Aquino III
Personal details
Born
Stella Luz Fagela Alabastro

(1969-11-23) November 23, 1969 (age 55)
Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Political partyLakas–CMD (2024–present)
Other political
affiliations		Liberal (2018–2024)
Spouse
​
(m. 1998)​
Children4
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines (BS, MA, PhD)
King's College London (MA)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • economist
  • professor

Stella Luz Alabastro Quimbo (born Stella Luz Fagela Alabastro; November 23, 1969) is a Filipino politician and academic who has served as the representative for Marikina's second district since 2019. She previously served as a commissioner of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) from 2016 until her resignation in 2019. She was a mayoral candidate in the 2025 Marikina local elections.

Educated at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quimbo began her academic career as a professor at her alma mater before becoming a full professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands from 2011 to 2013. She entered government in 2016 after President Benigno Aquino III appointed her to serve as a commissioner of the PCC.

Quimbo was elected to Congress in 2019 as a member of the Liberal Party. In her first term, she aligned with the House minority, opposing the policies of President Rodrigo Duterte and supporting Vice President Leni Robredo in the 2022 Philippine presidential election. Her second term saw a shift toward the House majority led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, during which her former allies criticized her for supporting the Maharlika Wealth Fund and defending the confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Quimbo ran for mayor in 2025 as a member of Lakas–CMD, with former mayor Del de Guzman as her running mate. She positioned her local coalition as the opposition to the incumbent Mayor Marcelino Teodoro. During the campaign, her camp was accused of vote buying and abuse of state resources. She was ultimately defeated by Maan Teodoro after a contentious campaign.

Early life and education

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Quimbo was born on November 23, 1969, to food scientist Estrella Alabastro, who would serve as dean of the College of Home Economics at the University of the Philippines Diliman and as a secretary of science and technology under the Arroyo administration.[1][2] She studied at the UP Diliman and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Economics summa cum laude and University Valedictorian in 1991, Master of Arts in Economics in 1993, and Doctor of Philosophy in Economics in 2000. The following year, she would do her postdoctoral work at Brown University.[3] In 2018, she obtained a Master's Degree in Competition Law from the King's College London.[3]

Academic career

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Quimbo worked as a professor and a department chairperson at the University of the Philippines School of Economics.[4] From 2011 to 2013, Quimbo served in the rank of full professor into the Prince Clause Professorial Chair at the Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands. She was the first Southeast Asian to hold the position.[5] Quimbo's research portfolio focuses on the field of health economics, industrial organization, microeconomics, education, poverty, and public policy.[3] For her research studies into health economics, a then-new field of research in the country, the National Academy of Science and Technology awarded her the Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) award in 2009.[6][7]

Philippine Competition Commission (2016–2019)

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In 2016, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Quimbo as a commissioner of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).[8] She would serve in that role from 2016 until her resignation in 2019 to run for a seat in the House of Representatives.[9]

House of Representatives (2019–2025)

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Elections

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Main articles: 2019 Marikina local elections and 2022 Marikina local elections

On November 30, 2018, Quimbo filed to run for representative in Marikina's second district under the Liberal Party to succeed her husband, Miro Quimbo, who had held the seat since 2010.[10] In the May 9, 2019, election, Quimbo easily won the seat, defeating former representative Eugene de Vera and independent Mauro Arce.[11]

Following the election, de Vera contested Quimbo's eligibility for the position in a quo warranto petition before the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET), citing the Philippine Competition Act, which prohibited former commissioners of the PCC to run for public office during their tenure and the two-year period following the end of their tenure.[12] Beng Sardillo, Quimbo's legal counsel, derided the petition as self-serving and erroneous.[13][14]

In 2022, Quimbo was reelected to a second term, defeating her closest opponent, former mayor Del de Guzman.[15]

Tenure

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In the 18th Congress, Quimbo was a member of a technical working group tasked to study the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, the largest broadcaster in the Philippines. She was the lone dissenter against the decision of two other members, representatives Pablo John Garcia and Xavier Jesus Romuald, to disapprove the application of ABS-CBN for another franchise.[16]

In the 19th Congress, Quimbo served as a vice chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations.[17] As a representative, she has been described as having a strict mentality and a volatile office environment.[18]

In September 2023, Quimbo's support of the Maharlika Wealth Fund and defense of Vice President Sara Duterte's use of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for her office and the Department of Education resulted in calls to sanction Quimbo as a member of the Liberal Party.[19][20] In response, party president Edcel Lagman confirmed that Quimbo will not receive sanctions for her positions, emphasizing the party's tradition of recognizing the "freedom of expression and dissent" of its members.[21]

In August 2024, Quimbo was embroiled in a dispute with Duterte over the passage of funds for the Office of the Vice President.[22] The same month, Quimbo left the Liberal Party and took oath as a member of Lakas–CMD.[23] In October 2024, Quimbo and Representative Nica Co jointly filed an ethics complaint against Representative Wilbert T. Lee, anchored on alleged threats and acts of aggression during the 2025 budget hearing with the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.[24]

On January 13, 2025, Quimbo was appointed as acting chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations after Representative Elizaldy Co stepped down from the post due to health concerns.[25][26]

On February 6, Quimbo signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.[27][28]

2025 Marikina mayoral campaign

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See also: 2025 Marikina local elections

Shortly before the 2024 State of the Nation Address on July 22, 2024, Miro confirmed that Quimbo will run for mayor of Marikina in the 2025 local elections and thus will not seek another term as representative.[29][30] She filed her candidacy for mayor in October 2022, with Del de Guzman as her vice mayoral running mate.[31] Her camp contested the election as Team Bagong Marikina (lit. 'Team New Marikina'; also stylized as Team Bagong Marik1na) and positioned themselves as the opposition to the incumbent administration led by Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, which she had criticized as being adversarial to her projects and policies as representative.[32][33]

Quimbo's mayoral platform revolved around managing the city's debt, carrying out their vision of transforming Marikina into a "business-friendly" start-up city, and attending to the needs of the city's health centers.[34] Her campaign emphasized the city's ₱3.6 billion outstanding debt as a key issue and proposed cutting business taxes and securing adequate funding from the national government as a response.[35] She also expressed support for the Wawa Dam project as a means of flood control and attracting businesses and investments into the city.[36]

The Quimbo campaign was characterized by its media appearances in contrast to the Teodoros' preference for alliance-sanctioned events.[37] Quimbo criticized the proliferation of disinformation during the campaign, having been the subject of fake graphics that circulated on social media.[38][39]

On April 26, 2025, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Kontra Bigay committee issued show-cause orders to Quimbo and her husband, Miro, to explain their conduct over alleged incidents of vote buying and abuse of state resources during their respective campaigns.[40] In response, they released a joint statement denying the claims and ensuring their compliance with the order.[41] Quimbo's campaign tactics have received criticism from her opponents for being akin to that of a smear campaign.[42]

Quimbo went on to be narrowly defeated by fellow representative Maan Teodoro in the race with the closest vote margin since 2016.[43] Despite her loss, de Guzman, her running mate, went on to defeat the incumbent vice mayor Marion Andres, with a narrower margin, marking his return to elected office.[44] Quimbo promptly conceded to Teodoro on May 13 and expressed her acceptance of the result.[45]

Public profile

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Identified as a technocrat, Quimbo has detested politics and deemed herself weak in such field.[46] In a 2023 interview with Rappler during her tenure as representative, she denied any aspirations for higher office.[46] Quimbo's projects as a representative, including government buildings, covered courts, health centers, fire stations, and vehicles, have been characterized by media outlets as an example of epal politics, owing to the prominent placements of the letter "Q" and use of the color pink.[47] She has defended such practices, citing accountability as a motivation for such branding.[47]

From the 18th Congress through the 2022 Philippine general election, Quimbo was regarded as a rising star in the House minority, owing to her opposition to the policies of President Rodrigo Duterte and support for the presidential campaign of Vice President Leni Robredo, who ran as the opposition candidate to the Duterte administration, which endorsed eventual President Bongbong Marcos.[46] In the 19th Congress, Quimbo began associating with the Marcos administration upon being offered the senior vice chairpersonship of appropriations by Speaker Martin Romualdez, which led to her being entrenched in the inner circle of the House majority.[46] Following the resignation of Sara Duterte as secretary of education, Quimbo was considered as a possible successor.[48]

Quimbo has faced criticism for her appearances with luxury goods, which led to allegations of ill-gotten wealth.[49][50] Her supporters, including Former Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Felipe Medalla, have deemed the allegations misogynistic and credited Quimbo's wealth to her consulting income from academia.[50] Former Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo has urged Ombudsman Samuel Martires to investigate her wealth, citing such incidents.[49]

Personal life

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Quimbo married lawyer and former representative Miro Quimbo in August 1998; they have four children.[51][52] Since her marriage, Quimbo has resided in Concepcion Dos.[53][54]

Electoral history

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Electoral history of Stella Quimbo
Year Office Party Votes received Result
Total % P. Swing
2019 Representative (Marikina–2nd) Liberal 79,598 83.74% 1st — Won
2022 103,108 82.70% 1st -1.04 Won
2025 Mayor of Marikina Lakas–CMD 117,795 44.16% 2nd — Lost

Bibliography

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  • Stella Alabastro, Douglas H. Brooks and Myo Thant (1998), "Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar", in Douglas H. Brooks and Myo Thant (eds.), Social Sector Issues in Transitional Economies of Asia, pp. 367–416, New York: Asian Development Bank, Oxford University Press. (ISBN 0-19-591154-7)

References

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  1. ^ Lina, Joey (December 1, 2020). "The need to spend and to spend in a timely manner". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  2. ^ The Filipino Family and the Nation: A Collection of Readings on Family Life Issues and Concerns. College of Home Economics, University of the Philippines. 1993. p. 135. ISBN 971-8892-00-1. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Philippine Competition Commission (March 19, 2016). "Commissioner Stella Luz A. Quimbo". Philippine Competition Commission. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  4. ^ Romulo, Mons (October 17, 2015). "What is one good thing that's worth fighting for?". Philstar.com. Philstar Global Corp. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  5. ^ UP School of Economics. "Professor Quimbo appointed to prestigious Dutch chair". University of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  6. ^ Sanvictores Jr., Benito V. (June 10, 2015). "Economics for better health". University of the Philippines Diliman. UP Diliman Information Office. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024. A member of the 1990 [UPecon Foundation, Inc.] survey team, [Stella] Quimbo was fascinated with health economics, which eventually became one of her fields of interest. [...] Health economics started in the United States as early as the 1960s. 'However, this discipline only started in the Philippines in the 1980s,' Quimbo said.
  7. ^ National Academy of Science and Technology Annual Report 2009 (PDF). National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines. 2009. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  8. ^ de Leon, Dwight (September 23, 2023). "Who is Stella Quimbo, the staunch defender of Sara Duterte's confidential funds?". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  9. ^ "Commissioner Stella Luz A. Quimbo | Philippine Competition Commission". www.phcc.gov.ph. March 19, 2016. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  10. ^ "Miro Quimbo's wife drops PCC seat for Congress". Politiko Metro Manila. 2018-11-30. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  11. ^ ABS-CBN News (May 14, 2019). "#HalalanResults, Marikina's Stella Quimbo on her way to replacing husband at House". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on September 8, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  12. ^ Cepeda, Mara (July 12, 2019). "Losing bet wants Marikina congresswoman Stella Quimbo disqualified". Rappler. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  13. ^ "Disqualification petition filed vs. Rep. Stella Quimbo has no legal basis —lawyer". GMA News Online. July 13, 2019. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  14. ^ Nazario, Dhel; Damicog, Jeffrey G.; Panaligan, Rey G. (July 12, 2019). "Marikina congresswoman faces quo warranto petition". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  15. ^ "City Of Marikina - Ncr - Second District | Eleksyon 2022 | GMA News Online". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  16. ^ SunStar Manila (July 10, 2020). "House panel rejects ABS-CBN franchise application". SunStar. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  17. ^ Cupin, Bea (July 26, 2022). "LIST: House committee chairpersons of the 19th Congress". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  18. ^ de Leon, Dwight (October 2, 2023). "In House of Representatives, Stella Quimbo's office endures staff turnovers". Rappler. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  19. ^ Relativo, James. "Liberal Party mulls action vs Quimbo over OVP's confidential funds issue". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  20. ^ Bolledo, Jairo (October 7, 2023). "Despite her defense of Sara Duterte's confidential funds, Quimbo remains a party member – LP". Rappler. Manila, Philippines: Rappler Inc. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  21. ^ Mendoza, Red (October 8, 2023). "Quimbo escapes LP sanctions". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  22. ^ de Leon, Dwight (August 28, 2024). "In 2023, Sara Duterte was grateful to Stella Quimbo. Now, she's antagonizing her". Rappler. Manila, Philippines. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  23. ^ Maderazo, Jake J. (August 13, 2024). "Magnificent Manila vs. Bagong Maynila in 2025". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  24. ^ Panti, Llanesca (October 14, 2024). "Ethics complaint filed vs Rep. Wilbert Lee over alleged threat to 2 colleagues". GMA Network. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  25. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (January 14, 2025). "Rep. Quimbo to be acting House appropriations head – Velasco". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  26. ^ Porcalla, Delon (2025-01-15). "Quimbo named acting appropriations panel chair". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  27. ^ Flores, Dominique Nicole (February 5, 2025). "Who are the 215 House endorsers of VP Sara Duterte's impeachment?". Philstar.com. Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Archived from the original on February 6, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  28. ^ Cervantes, Filane Mikee (February 6, 2025). "25 more lawmakers want to join as complainants vs. VP Sara". Manila: News and Information Bureau, Presidential Communications Office. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  29. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (July 23, 2024). "Congresswoman Stella Quimbo eyeing mayoral seat in Marikina". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  30. ^ Begas, Billy (July 22, 2024). "Marikina Power Couple: Miro Quimbo Confirms Congress Run, Wife Stella Eyes Mayoralty". Politiko. MCD Multimedia Corporation. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  31. ^ "LIST: Candidates for mayor, vice mayor in Metro Manila for 2025 elections". Rappler.com. October 1, 2024. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  32. ^ Salonga, Kaxandra (2025-11-30). "Fake news a top concern in Marikina elections, says Stella Quimbo". ABS-CBN News.
  33. ^ Cruz, Ailla Dela (2025-04-01). "FACT CHECK: No order from Quimbo to padlock INC churches in Marikina". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  34. ^ Panti, Llanesca T. (2024-10-07). "Miro Quimbo seeks House return, Stella Quimbo hints at mayoralty run". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  35. ^ Cruz, James Patrick (2025-02-11). "Marikina candidates pitch solutions to solve city's 'debt crisis'". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on 2025-04-09. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  36. ^ Cruz, James Patrick (2025-02-12). "Marikina bets push Wawa Dam, flood control projects to curb city's flooding". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on 2025-04-15. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  37. ^ Ranada, Pia (2025-02-19). "[Be The Good] Shame on candidates who don't show up". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  38. ^ Salonga, Kaxandra (2025-11-30). "Fake news a top concern in Marikina elections, says Stella Quimbo". ABS-CBN News.
  39. ^ Cruz, Ailla Dela (2025-04-01). "FACT CHECK: No order from Quimbo to padlock INC churches in Marikina". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  40. ^ Philippine News Agency (April 26, 2025). "Manila's Lacuna, Marikina's Quimbo, 17 others ordered to explain vote-buying allegations". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  41. ^ "Honey Lacuna, Stella Quimbo, Miro Quimbo respond to Comelec order". GMA News Online. 2025-04-27. Archived from the original on 2025-04-28. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  42. ^ Chi, Cristina (2025-05-13). "Maan Teodoro poised to defeat Stella Quimbo in tight Marikina mayoral race". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  43. ^ Ferreras, Vince Angelo (2025-05-12). "Teodoro poised to win Marikina mayoral race". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  44. ^ Flores, Dominique Nicole (2025-05-13). "Marikina polls: Maan wins tight mayoral bid, while husband Marcy's proclamation put on hold". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  45. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (2025-05-13). "Stella Quimbo admits to being 'hurt' by defeat in Marikina mayoral race". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  46. ^ a b c d de Leon, Dwight (2023-10-02). "Stella Quimbo, controversial star at a political crossroads". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on 2024-01-05. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  47. ^ a b Cruz, James Patrick (2025-02-12). "Why is Marikina covered in 'Qs'? Stella, Miro defend labels on gov't projects". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  48. ^ Felipe, Cecille Suerte (2025-07-02). "Angara open to being DepEd secretary". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  49. ^ a b "Panelo sa Ombudsman: Yaman ni Quimbo imbestigahan" [Panelo to Ombudsman: Investigate Quimbo's wealth]. Abante (in Tagalog). 2024-10-07. Archived from the original on 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  50. ^ a b Escosio, Jan (2025-05-02). "Ex-BSP Gov. Medalla backs Stella Quimbo for Marikina mayor". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  51. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (July 29, 2020). "Ex-lawmaker Miro Quimbo contracts COVID-19; wife, children test negative". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  52. ^ Quimbo, Miro (December 3, 2008). "On our 10th year together..." Facebook. Meta Platforms, Inc. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  53. ^ Jimenez-David, Rina (October 28, 2001). "America's latest weapon". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. p. A9. Retrieved December 4, 2024. ...Lourdes 'Bing' dela Llana Pimentel, who with husband Nene Pimentel and their six children has been a long-time Marikina resident.
  54. ^ "Stella Luz A. Quimbo" (PDF). Philippine Men of Science. 25. Department of Science and Technology: 102. December 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
[edit]
House of Representatives of the Philippines
Preceded by Member of the House of Representatives
from Marikina's 2nd district
2019–present 		Incumbent


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