Quisumbing vs Cortes for congressional seat?

CEBU, Philippines - The 2016 election may mark the end of the alliance between Cebu sixth district Representative Gabriel Luis Quisumbing and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes after both will reportedly be running against each other for the congressional seat in the district.

According to a source who asked for anonymity, the Liberal Party is reportedly more inclined on having Quisumbing seek for reelection rather than running for mayor in Mandaue City. Both Quisumbing and Cortes are LP members.

 Although it was not officially announced, initial plans included Quisumbing swapping positions with Cortes during the 2016 elections with Quisumbing running for Mandaue City mayor and Cortes for congressman of the sixth district.

But the source told The Freeman that it was LP vice chairman, Senate President Franklin Drilon, who spoke to him in Manila the other day saying, “Luigi offered very juicy chairmanship as senior congressman.”

 Quisumbing is now the vice chairman of the House Committee on Finance.

 Drilon also reportedly said that Mandaue City Councilor Emmarie “Lollipop” Ouano-Dizon is LP’s bet for mayor.

 Quisumbing said they are currently in the process of finalizing their plans for LP while Congress is also in the period of approving the National Budget and as vice chairman, he said he is duty-bound to see it passed.

 “I am looking forward to coming home to Cebu this weekend so we can focus on our plans for 2016 and make an announcement together with our allies,” said Quisumbing, the LP district chairman.

Cortes have also announced that he is prepared to run as an independent candidate if ever he will not be chosen as LP’s candidate.

 Cortes believes his machinery remains intact and he has already prepared for the “worst case scenario,” adding that what happened to him before may happen to him again, especially now that he cannot seek for re-election as mayor because this is his last term.

 The mayor noted that in 2007, the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) was given to his opponent in the last minute. In 2010, when the mayor ran again, his party headed by then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not follow the “equity of the incumbent” principle.  (FREEMAN)