Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Ted will believe it from Nerry herself
MANDAUE City Mayor Thadeo Ouano refuses to believe recent reports on Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz’s “plan” to run for mayor of Mandaue City.
He said he and Ruiz agreed not to believe talks being circulated unless the information comes directly from each other.
Ouano considers the reports as one of the many speculations from a certain camp which only wants to pit them against each other.
“Di ta anang divide and conquer,” he said, adding that if Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia wants a united Cebu, he also wants “one Mandaue.”
On Ruiz, Ouano said: “Wa man mi mag-away… I still believe in her.”
The mayor revealed that they were able to talk last Saturday when they welcomed President Arroyo, who was in Cebu for the launching of Team Unity.
He refused to mention key points of their conversation. Lawyer Gonzalo Malig-on, Ruiz’s chief-of-staff, also doesn’t want to comment on the issue.
Malig-on thinks that Ruiz has not changed her mind about an earlier statement on seeking reelection.
In a text message to Sun.Star, he said Ruiz’s camp wouldn’t comment on speculations so as not to add to the confusion.
Councilor Jonas Cortes, who is running for mayor, refused to comment on the reported plan of Ruiz.
“Let’s cross the bridge when we get there but my tandem with Glenn Bercede is already final,” he said.
Last year, there was speculation that Ruiz would run for mayor with Cortes as vice mayor.
But Cortes declared last month his intention to run for mayor, with Bercede as candidate for vice mayor.
Cortes, however, said that having a lot of candidates for mayor in Mandaue would be a remote possibility.
Also seeking the position of mayor are Vice Mayor Amadeo Seno Jr., Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano and former city councilor Magno Dionson.
But Cortes also revealed yesterday that there is an effort to put up a united front against the Ouanos.
Jonkie is groomed to take the place of his father, Thadeo.
Cortes acknowledged, though, that Ruiz and Provincial Board Member Gabriel Luis Quisumbing are “big factors” although he did not categorically say whether his group has the full support of the Quisumbing clan. (AAG)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 21, 2007 issue)
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