Monday, March 19, 2007 Jonas, Luigi gain ‘surprise’ allies By Aledel Gonzalez-Cuizon Sun.Star Staff Reporter
CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña supports the political bids of Mandaue City Councilor Jonas Cortes and Provincial Board (PB) Member Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, saying their election would revive the good relations between the cities of Cebu and Mandaue.
At a press conference yesterday at the Norkis clubhouse in Mandaue City, Osmeña said he would help Cortes with his organization.
“I don’t see why Cebu has to be dragged down the drain because of a very greedy mayor. Baga iyang nawong,” Osmeña said, without mentioning names.
Cortes also has the support of Lakas provincial chairman Celestino Martinez Jr., who said at the press conference that he hopes Mandauehanos will not fail Cortes and Quisumbing.
“Let’s convince the people that this is not a monopoly of the Ouanos,” Martinez said.
He added that the younger ones must be given a chance too.
‘Can’t choose enemies’
Quisumbing formally announced at yesterday’s press conference his intention to run for congressman in the sixth district. He said he would bolster investor confidence and provide a balance between business-friendly and pro-poor programs.
He will be facing off with incumbent Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz and, possibly, former governor Vicente de la Serna.
Quisumbing, who plans to draw up projects for the youth, said he wants to provide constituents with the opportunities that he had while growing up.
He said he had a chance to do this during his term at the PB, but it never materialized. Quisumbing revealed that he proposed the construction of the Provincial Children’s Hospital but it was vetoed.
Sun.Star sought the comment of Cortes’ rival for the mayoral seat, Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, but the mayor’s son was in a pulong-pulong.
“They are entitled to whoever they want to support. But to us, there is a saying that you can choose who your friends are but you can’t choose your enemies,” he said in a text message.
Ouano added that he already has a certificate of nomination and to him, that is a bigger endorsement.
Former Cebu governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña advised Cortes and Cordova Vice Mayor Danilo Sinugbuhan to run based on issues and not on personality.
Sinugbuhan will be running for mayor against lawyer Adelino Sitoy in the municipality of Cordova.
“Don’t mention the opponent’s name at all. You state what you are running for, what you want to do and what you want to accomplish. And don’t mention the name of the opponent. They are nothing. They are irrelevant,” Lito said.
“They are going to collapse on their own weight. I always thought we would have a hard time in the sixth district. This will be the bailiwick. The sixth district is the biggest erosion. Alarma man sila ron. The opposition to the Davids in the sixth district is collapsing. Na-agtang na, di kay ma-agtang pa,” he added.
Lito added that if former governor de la Serna runs for Congress in the sixth district, it would be to the advantage of Quisumbing because the latter would be the only “non-trapo.”
“People who vote with conscience will vote for the young, more mentally endowed,” Lito added.
He also assured Quisumbing that he can deliver votes for him in Mactan, where the former governor is registered. “Pwede na ko manganlan og buang kung mapildi ka didto (If you lose there, people may then call me crazy),” Lito said, laughing.
