Joy Ouano declares support for Jonkie

The Ouano family's political grip of Mandaue City is seen to likely tighten after Liga ng mga Barangay president Jovita Tuela "Joy" Ouano yesterday declared her support for the mayoralty candidacy of her nephew, Thadeo Jovito or Jonkie.

Joy had earlier expressed interest to run for mayor in the May 14 elections but has called off her plans in favor of Jonkie in view of her reported reconciliation with her elder brother, Thadeo, the incumbent city mayor who is the father of Jonkie.

In a press conference at the residence of Lahug, Cebu City barangay captain Mary Ann delos Santos, Joy said politics just comes and goes but the family always stays.

"I am supporting the candidacy of Jonkie. I am sacrificing my political career for the unity of my family. I love my parents very much, especially my mother," the teary-eyed Joy said.

Jonkie then gladly announced the reconciliation of her "Tita Joy" and his father, who have been at odds for more than five years.

For her part, Delos Santos said her role was just a mediator in the reconciliation since her father is the brother of the mother of Joy's husband and that Jonkie is her badminton buddy.

Jonkie, 33, who admitted that her "Tita Joy" was the biggest stumbling block in his candidacy, said it was his goal to solve the conflict between her and his father.

Joy, however, did not say whether her support for Jonkie would be seen as a move towards an eventual reconciliation with the mayor.

The opposition party in Mandaue City has been courting Joy to run in the coming elections, as reports have it that she was being offered by the camp of mayoralty aspirant Jonas Cortes to run as Provincial Board member. The camp of another mayoralty aspirant, Vice Mayor Amadeo Seno Jr., also offered her to run as his running mate.

When asked for comment over the latest development, Seno said; "It's her prerogative whether to run or not. After all she's still a family." Until now, Seno is yet to reveal his running mate and candidates for the City Council.

Joy, the eight among the 11 siblings of Alfredo and Dolores Ouano, has been the barangay captain of Opao since 1997. She is the regional executive officer of the Liga ng mga Barangay and currently the national vice president of the league.

Two weeks ago, Joy said she is open to reconciliation with Mayor Ouano but with conditions.

She wanted Mayor Ouano to publicly reveal the details of the rift between them, and that the mayor should go to her house and seek for reconciliation in front of the entire family and barangay captains of the city.

But the mayor had maintained that there was nothing to reconcile with his sister, as there was no conflict happened in the first place. - Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM