Nerissa is now a consultant of Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines - Former sixth district representative Nerissa Soon Ruiz signed yesterday at the Mayor’s Office a six-month contract with Mandaue City as consultant for public health.

The signing was witnessed by city Vice Mayor Glen Bercede and city councilors Jimmy Lumapas and Jefferson Ceniza.

The contract stipulates that the former lady legislator will receive P18,000 as monthly compensation.

After the signing of the contract, Mayor Jonas Cortes said there is no politics involved and no strings attached in the hiring of Soon-Ruiz’s expertise.

The mayor also said that Soon-Ruiz did not ask for any favors from him when he asked her to be one of his consultants.

Last month, the mayor hired former vice mayor Carlo fortuna as the city government’s consultant for legislative affairs.

Cortes said Soon-Ruiz’s expertise as a doctor can help a lot.

“This transcends politics,” Soon-Ruiz said.

Will she run in the 2013 elections? Soon-Ruiz said she will announce her plans in due time.

Cortes also said yesterday he wishes to expand the PhilHealth membership to all the 27 barangays in the city.