Ouano spokesman says politics behind sex yarn

The spokesman of the Ouano family sees politics behind the issue involving the alleged sexual relationship between Cheryl Ouano and her father-in-law and Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano that became the subject of a libel complaint she filed against radioman Joash Dignos.

Jonjie Gonzales claimed that a politician paid the broadcaster to put the mayor's reputation in the bad light, saying that this politician has ambition to run for mayor against Ouano in the next elections.

But Gonzales said that Ouano has so far no intention to name the politician.

Earlier, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas has considered the possibility of stopping Dignos' radio program over dyHP. This after KBP-Cebu chapter president Edward Abad found out that Dignos' KBP accreditation card has already expired.

But Bert Empacis, an ally of Provincial Board Member Luigi Quisumbing and Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz, yesterday downplayed politics as behind the commentaries of Dignos on the alleged sexual relationship between Ouano and Cheryl.

Empacis said the Quisumbings would not resort to such personal issues to discredit the Ouanos. "I don't think so (nga) mo-resort si Board Member Luigi Quisumbing ug Rep. Ruiz ani nga klase nga propaganda."

Last Wednesday, Cheryl filed three counts of libel against Dignos over his commentaries on July 13, 14 and 17 allegedly tagging the mayor as having sexual relationship with her.

Empacis, the former president of Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce and a high official of Norkis Group of Companies owned by the Quisumbing family, clarified that he has not heard about any relationship between Ouano and Cheryl.

Dignos earlier insisted that he did not mention the name of Cheryl on air about a blind item story he was reporting.

Dignos has been facing seven counts of libel in Cagayan de Oro City but all were dismissed.

Dalawampu said this case was her basis in filing indicting Dignos for libel. - Flor Z. Perolina and Ramil V. Ayuman