Ombudsman to conduct lifestyle checks on Cebu mayor, lawmaker

CEBU — To uncover the truth, the Office of the Ombudsman is set to conduct lifestyle checks on both Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano and sixth district Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz following a heated rift between the two public officials regarding their acquired properties.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Primo Miro said their Public Assistance Unit will soon start collating data for the lifestyle check, which will be based on media reports.

Miro said a team of investigators will be assigned to conduct the lifestyle check. He called on the media to provide his office with information useful in the investigation.

But he admitted they may find it difficult to conduct the investigation, especially since properties of public officials are listed in the names of other family members.

The political animosity between Ouano and Ruiz intensified after the mayor accused the congresswoman of dubiously acquiring properties and living a luxurious life.

Ruiz, however, accused Ouano of influencing his political supporter, Eglyrina Caballero, to write President Arroyo to expose Ruiz’s mansion in Barangay Casili, Mandaue City which she allegedly failed to include in her statement of assets and liabilities.

In denying the allegations, Ruiz lashed back at Ouano, questioning his financial capability to own franchises of a famous fastfood chain in the towns of Carcar and Bogo.

But a son of Ouano, Thadeo Jovito, who has been designated family spokesman, said it is his brother-in-law, Nixon Dizon, who owns the franchises of the fastfood outlets.

Dizon is the husband of Ouano’s daughter, Emmarie Dolores. — Freeman News Service