Thursday, December 28, 2006 Espinoza: Mandaue's political pot By Elias L. Espinoza Free Zone
AT about 8 a.m. the other day, a friend informed me through text message that the Integrated Bar of the Philippines building was partially burned in an early dawn fire. When I surfed the Sun.Star website in the evening, I was surprised to read the report that other buildings were also damaged by the blaze.
Among those razed was the Cebu Court of First Instance Community Cooperative building. I reckon that very important records were burned. This 2007, then, will be a sad year for the coop’s members like me.
Fire probers should look into the cause of the blaze without fear or favor. Initial investigation disclosed that the fire started at the second floor ceiling of the building housing the Civil Security Unit. While we do not accuse anyone of negligence or arson, there are those who are suspicious.
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After the constituent assembly (Con-Ass) fiasco, local politicians are now gearing up for the elections in May next year. This even with the attempt of President Arroyo to revive calls for Charter change after abandoning the controversial Con-Ass.
Quick to the draw are the Ouanos in Mandaue City. Mayor Thadeo Z. Ouano, who is in his last term, is grooming his youngest son, Jonkie, to succeed him. In fact, even before House Speaker Jose de Venecia’s Con-Ass was conceived and subsequently aborted, Mayor Ouano already prepared Jonkie for the political skirmish.
Perhaps it is only in Mandaue where the administration slate, with Jonkie as the standard bearer, is almost complete. Jonkie’s lineup, if my memory serves me right, was released to the media two months ago.
Some observers say that while the slate may not be the best, the prospective candidates can give their opponents a run for their money. Mandaue’s opposition, though, has remained silent. There is even a rumor that the opposition may not put up a slate reportedly for lack of logistics.
However, with the latest twist in the conflict between Mandaue City and Norkis involving a leased lot, speculations are high that Norkis’ patriarch Norberto Quisumbing will put up a slate to spite Mayor Ouano. A source told me Quisumbing is courting Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz so she will run against Jonkie.
Soon-Ruiz, though, has not confirmed the report. Also, some Mandauehanons I talked with doubts if she will accept the offer and challenge the Ouanos in next year’s polls. Soon-Ruiz already experienced losing to Mayor Ouano.
But if she does run against Jonkie, we will be seeing not only a battle between big clans and their supporters but also a battle involving money. Remember the saying “one who has the gold rules?”
