In Mandaue: Ouano, Cortes renew rivalry for city mayor

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Provincial Board Member Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) yesterday morning for mayor of Mandaue City along with his running mate acting Vice Mayor Nerissa Soon-Ruiz.

It will be the second time since the 2007 elections that both Ouano and Cortes fought it out for mayoralty seat in one of Cebu’s biggest city.

Jonkie said it took time to finally decide to run after seeing the perennial problems in Mandaue City continue to be unsolved. He said he needed to step up again and offer a solution to the flood problem and improve services for the People.

“Makakita ta sa posts sa social media, ‘best in tax collection’, ‘dato kaayo ang syudad sa Mandaue,’ ‘the sixth wealthiest city outside of Manila in terms of asset,’ nganong ang sa health with regards sa modern hospital wala? sa atoang Mandaue City College wala?” Jonkie stressed.

If he wins as mayor, their group has laid priority projects such as modernizing hospital facilities, improving Mandaue City College, and solving the flood problem.

Jonkie said that the current administration has not been prioritizing these needs in the city despite the P4 billion annual budget.

“Time immemorial ang kini man gyung baha sa syudad sa Mandaue during the time of our dad ang ilang pasinganlan ang local government kay primarily responsibility man gyud na sa local government. Pero again, it’s been 18 years nga naglingkod ang kasamtangang administrasyon naa raman gihapoy baha, the same ra man gihapon og problema.”

A festival-like parade with about a thousand supporters accompanied Ouano in the filing of COC at the Commission on Elections office at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.

The “One Mandaue” group along with Ouano’s sister and incumbent Mandaue Lone District Congresswoman Lolypop Ouano-Dizon first attended a Mass at the National Shrine of Saint Joseph before proceeding to the Comelec.

Chants and dances from supporters wearing hues of red and blue dominated the grounds outside of the Comelec office.

The One Mandaue slate included lawyer Joel Seno, Andreo “Anjong” Ouano Icalina, Cesar “Ting Sol” Cabahug, former Opao barangay councilor Fritz Villamor, former City Councilor Ben Basiga, Tabok Barangay Captain Dario Tariman, Pagsabungan Barangay Captain Asterio Suson, Ibabao Estancia Barangay Captain Romulo Echavez, Basak Barangay Captain Eping Diano, and former City Councilor Procopio Villanueva.

Meanwhile, Atty. Nilo “Olin Seno” also filed his COC for Provincial Board member in place of Jonkie.

At first it, reports have it that it was Jonkie’s elder sister Ouano-Dizon who would run for mayor.

Ouano-Dizon also filed her COC for reelection at the House of Representatives.

“As always, I wanted to finish my term as a congresswoman, and here’s somebody who is fresh, dynamic and has new ideas which is hopefully puhon our Mayor Jonkie Ouano,” Ouano-Dizon told reporters.

Ouano-Dizon said, that if both of them win, then there will be a “harmonious relationship”, she as congresswoman and Jonkie as the mayor.

“Importante kaayo, kay so far karon, we really have a need nga naay approval and coordination sa atoang local government,” Ouano-Dizon explained.

Meanwhile, Cortes filed his COC last Friday, October 4, a day after dismissal order against him was released to the public.

His dismissal order comes with it a perpetual disqualification from government service but Cortes said he will fight it off in a legal battle.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia has earlier said that the COCs of those with cases of perpetual disqualification will be canceled if they are not issued a Temporary Restraining Order from the Court of Appeals.

Cortes said that he will be joining other candidates under “Team Mandaue” who will be filing their COC this afternoon. — (FREEMAN)