Jonas vows to back Luigi in election if he files conversion bill

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Jonas Cortes is willing to cross party lines if sixth district Rep. Luigi Quisumbing files a bill that would seek the conversion of Mandaue City into a lone congressional district.

Cortes said he does not intend to vie for Quisumbing's position in the future. What he is concerned presently is the welfare of the city residents.

He said if Quisumbing file the conversion bill, he would support him in the next elections even if it would mean crossing party lines.

"If it shows nga naa siya’y pagbati sa Mandauehanons, I will support him and I'm willing to cross party lines once nga magkasinabot mi. Wa koy intention sa iyang posisyon busa dili ni pamulitika ako," Cortes said.

The mayor said he would write a letter to Quisumbing to ask him where they could meet to talk about the matter.

Months ago, Quisumbing said he wanted to sit down with Cortes and talk about the lone district issue but the mayor said Quisumbing's plan did not materialize, so he would write him a letter.

Cortes said he thanks former Mandaue City Mayor Alfredo Ouano for joining the bandwagon in asking Quisumbing to file again the conversion bill initially started by former sixth district representative Efren Herrera.

Herrera filed the bill but it was blocked when it reached the Senate.

Cortes said the city has long been qualified to become a lone district.

With its population, it could easily be two separate districts.

He however wants the lone district bill filed first before tackling other matters.

"I don't think so nga mo-angal unya ang Consolacion ug Cordova kon modako na unya ang ilang share," the mayor said, referring to the P70 million PDAF that each congressman gets for projects. (FREEMAN)