Saturday, March 03, 2007 Ruiz sought P30M from Quisumbing: Emphasis
REP. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Cebu, 6th district) reportedly wanted to run for mayor of Mandaue City and told industrialist Norberto Quisumbing Jr. that she would need some P30 million to fund her candidacy.
According to Lakas spokesperson for the Visayas Elberto Emphasis, Ruiz met with Quisumbing last month and said she would be a better choice as a mayoral candidate against the Ouanos.
Ruiz reportedly said more funds are needed to support Mandaue City Councilor Jonas Cortes. She then added it would also be good for her to run for mayor because she has a lot of plans for Mandaue, according to Emphasis.
When asked how much she would need, Ruiz reportedly said P30 million.
But Ruiz’s chief of staff, lawyer Gonzalo Malig-on, denied this when sought for comment, saying it was Ruiz who was asked to run for mayor.
Unsure
However, the congresswoman was unsure then because she had to consult her family and political leaders.
Malig-on added that the congresswoman knows how much is needed, considering she was also a mayoral candidate in 1998.
Emphasis told reporters yesterday he was prompted to reveal the overtures allegedly raised to Quisumbing, after Ruiz issued statements “that weren’t true.”
“Di ko ganahan anang buhat-buhat nga istorya (I dislike these fabricated stories),” he said.
Emphasis was referring to an incident wherein he was allegedly scolded by First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo for announcements about Lakas’ gubernatorial candidate in Cebu.
Emphasis said that Quisumbing has been supporting Ruiz “ever since.”
Malig-on, for his part, said that Ruiz never had plans to run for mayor because she already wanted to seek reelection.
Not picking fight
Besides, it would be too late to form a local slate and Ruiz’s father also didn’t want her to run for mayor.
Malig-on also said that Ruiz is not picking a fight with Quisumbing, who is “a very close family friend.”
Ruiz ran for mayor of Mandaue in 1998 but lost to Thadeo Ouano, who is now on his last term.
Recently, the two joined hands and became members of the Kampi party of President Arroyo.
Ruiz is now supporting the mayoralty bid of Ouano’s son, Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano.
Her opponent in the congressional race might be Quisumbing’s grandson, Provincial Board Member Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing.
While Emphasis earlier said the younger Qui-sumbing is seeking a seat in Congress, Luigi himself said he is still not sure about it and that he is still weighing his options.
Mayoral aspirants in Mandaue include Cortes, Jonkie, Vice Mayor Amadeo Seno Jr. and former councilor Magno Dionson.
Jonkie’s aunt, Jovita Tuela Ouano, might join the race after she announced last Wednesday that she is seeking a local position.
In an interview with TV Patrol Central Visayas, Luigi denied that the Quisumbings are backing Joy.
Aspirants for local positions have until March 29 to file their certificates of candidacy. (AAG)
