Ouano puts stock in Cortes alliance

CEBU, Philippines - Former Mandaue City mayor Alfredo Ouano is convinced of the sincerity of Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes in his move to unify with the Ouanos.

“Nagtuo ko nga sinsero ang mga Cortes sa ilang tinguha nga unity and progress for Mandaue City. Sila gud ang nagpatawag og meeting namo,” Alfredo Ouano said.

The former mayor said that Provincial Board member Thadeo Ouano was assured of support from Cortes should he decide to run for Congress.

But a problem may arise should PB member Ouano decide to run for the same position as incumbent Sixth District Representative Luigi Quisumbing and the latter belongs to the same political party, One Cebu, which is headed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Although both belong to One Cebu party, PB member Ouano is a member of the Nacionalista Party while Cortes is a member of the Liberal Party.

Cortes, however, is reportedly going to bolt from LP together with Cebu City Rep. Tomas Osmeña, a good friend of the Quisumbings who used to support Cortes.

The question political observers are asking now is whether PB member Ouano expect “sincere” support from the Cortes administration considering that the Ouanos are the enemies of Osmeña.

Alfredo’s daughter, Mandaue City Councilor Emmarie Ouano-Dizon will be in the slate of Cortes as one of ten city councilors in the 2013 national and local elections.

Alfredo’s Ouano’s son, Jonkie Ouano ran for mayor in the 2010 elections but lost to Cortes.

The recent announcement that Cortes will be seeking re-election dispelled talks that he is going to run for Congress. — /BRP (FREEMAN)