Nerissa and her party resign from One Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu 6th District Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz and her entire slate in Mandaue City have formally tendered their courtesy resignation as members of the One Cebu Party following their refusal to toe-the-line on the party’s decision to support administration presidential bet Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro.

The resignation letter, signed by Ruiz and the members of her slate including former Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, was received by the office of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday afternoon.

 Despite their bolting of One Cebu Party, Ruiz’ political group, Nagkahiusang Mandauehanon, reaffirmed their commitment to support Garcia and her runningmate, Glenn Soco.

Rory Jon Sepulveda, spokesman of One Cebu and member of the executive committee, welcomed the declaration of Ruiz to continue supporting Garcia and Soco.

Sepulveda even raised the possibility of their party forging an alliance with the group of Ruiz similar to what they have with the Alayon of Rep. Eduardo Gullas in the first district and the Bakud of the Duranos in the fifth district.

He explained that Ruiz and her slate continue to be One Cebu’s candidates in Mandaue City.   (FREEMAN NEWS)

According to Sepulveda, the resignation does not mean that a withdrawal of support will follow.

The courtesy resignation came a day after Ruiz and her group abandoned Teodoro in favor of Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manuel Villar.

Citing a supposed result of her consultation with her leaders and political allies, Ruiz decided to jump ship.

In her press statement last Sunday Ruiz claimed she realized that most of her leaders and allies are supporting a presidential candidate that has the interest for Mandaue City in his heart.

Ruiz said she believes that Villar is the candidate that has the interest for Mandaue and will not turn his back on them considering their working relationship when the latter was still the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Prior to her declaration of support for Villar, Ruiz and the other One Cebu congressmen had a meeting with the presidential aspirant at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel last week.

Talks were rife that all of those who were in the meeting received a considerable amount from Villar.

Aside from Ruiz, Reps. Pablo Garcia, Pablo John Garcia and Benhur Salimbangon were also said to be present in the meeting.

Pablo John, younger brother of the governor, denied that a meeting took place.

Villar, in an earlier interview, confirmed meeting with some people but refused to give names. –Fred P. Languido /NLQ