CEBU, Philippines - Congressional candidate Paulus Mariae Cañete is pointing out the seeming trend in the leadership dynamics in Cebu’s sixth district, particularly in Man-daue City – that is, that no mayor who ran for Congress won and vice-versa.
The late Demetrio “Boy” Cortes Sr. who served as Mandaue mayor for 20 years lost to former congressman Vicente ‘Tingting” dela Serna.
Dela Serna was appointed mayor in Mandaue but later resigned for him to run for Congress against Cortes.
Dela Serna served Congress in 1987 to 1992. He was then elected governor of the Province of Cebu but failed in his reelection bid in 1995 when he lost to former governor and congressman Pablo Garcia.
Dela Serna was succeeded by then Provincial Board member Nerissa Soon-Ruiz in Congress.
In 1992 elections, Ruiz defeated now Senator Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III in the latter’s first try in politics.
Ruiz got reelected in 1995 against a certain Manolo Cantos.
In 1998, Ruiz ran for mayor but lost to Thadeo “Teddy” Ouano who replaced his father, the late Alfredo “Pedong” Ouano, who was on his last term.
Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Efren Herrera succeeded the congressional post in 1998 but lost to Ruiz in 2001 elections. Ruiz continued to serve in Congress and served until 2010.
Representative Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing” succeeded Ruiz who lost to Mayor Jonas Cortes in 2010 elections.
Quisumbing who was elected as PB member in 2004 tried his congressional bid in 2007 but lost to Ruiz.
This time, even with one more term in Congress, Quisumbing is choosing to run for mayor in Mandaue City while Cortes who is on his last term is running for congress against Cañete.
Cortes and Cañete clashed over the management of the Mandaue City College (MCC) when the former did not recognize the latter’s campus, which was created during the term of Teddy Ouano.
Cortes created another campus while Cañete continued to operate the MCC as a private institution.
Cortes said if elected congressman, he would still manage MCC.
The Sixth District is comprised of Mandaue City, Cordova and Consolacion. (FREEMAN)