This is an acronym that Philippine media outlets use as shorthand for “Vice Mayor” particularly in headlines and in tweets.
VM was seen by many Filipino social-media users on July 31st, 2017, during the inquest of Ozamiz Vice-Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog the day after her parents were killed in a police raid.
Other examples of typical usage in Philippine English:
- The wife ran as VM of Pastrana.
- VM Paolo Duterte received threats.
- QC VM Joy Belmonte made the announcement.
In conversation, it is common for Filipinos to shorten the phrase “Vice Mayor” to “Vice” (sometimes pronounced as “bahys”).
Kamusta na si Vice?
How’s the Vice Mayor doing?
(familiar tone)
The standard Filipino term for “vice mayor” is bise-alkalde (from Spanish).
