IN RECENT SURVEY: Nerissa ahead of Jonas

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City mayoralty bet Nerissa Soon Ruiz, a veteran politician and a congresswoman for 15 years already, is gaining more strength as she continues to widen her lead over neophyte Mayor Jonas Cortes in a recent survey conducted by a business group.

The survey, conducted last May 2 to 4 by Mandaue Business Group, shows Soon-Ruiz getting 53 percent out of the 1,500 respondents. Cortes got 45 percent or a difference of eight percent.

The group is comprised of businessmen doing business in the city headed by businessman Cecilio Javier.

“At the start of the local campaign, we were in a statistical tie. Now I have gained eight points. My team now has the momentum and winning is within grasp.

The issue of incompetence and mismanagement against my opponent was finally realized by the Mandauehanons,” said Soon-Ruiz, who is now concerned with the reported massive cheating in tomorrow’s elections.

She likewise urged Mandaue residents to be vigilant against massive cheating and all forms of electoral fraud. 

In the same survey, about two percent were still undecided who to vote for.

Soon-Ruiz, who has been awarded as the “Most Outstanding Congresswoman” by the National Confederation of Barangay Health Workers said her camp was able to crack the P2.8 billion uncut annual budget approved by the members of the City Council.

“We have cracked the P2.8 billion glass ceiling. Jonas since the start of his term lied to the public claiming that the city council has been an obstructionist that is why he was unable to implement his projects for the city,” she said.

Soon Ruiz said the P2.8 billion has been approved by the city legislators as requested by the mayor and yet garbage remained uncollected, drainage has not been solved, traffic and bad roads are still a problem, among others.

Soon-Ruiz decided to run for mayor as early as last year adopting her political philosophy, “People first!” as she is hopeful that under her leadership, the city can do better in all aspects from economy, infrastructure, peace and order, jobs, education, health and education.

In her 15 years as lady legislator, she has principally authored the Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2008, RA 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Republic Act 8203 or the Expanded Anti-Counterfeiting Drugs Law of 1996, RA 7719 or the Blood Services Act of 1995 and RA 8172 or the Salt Iodized Act of 1995.

On the other hand, a survey conducted by One Cebu Party from April 15 to 17 shows that Mayor Jonas Cortes is leading by 53 percent over Nerissa Soon Ruiz wherein she got only 29 percent, according to Cortes’ lawyer Francisco Amit.

On the vice mayoralty race, Amit said Glenn Bercede is also leading by 59 percent over reelectionist Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna who got only 28 percent. The survey was conducted on the five percent of the overall registered voters of Mandaue City, he said. (FREEMAN NEWS)