ELECTION ROUNDUP

IS SOCO’s BID a PLOY?

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said she  sympathizes with businessman Glenn Soco who is running for vice governor as an independent.

“I know he is working hard. He has been doing his own organizing in the municipalities,” Magpale said of one of her rivals.

But  she said his solo candidacy may also be a ploy of  One Cebu to   reinforce the campaign of Rep. Pablo John Garcia for governor by having two  vice gubernatorial candidates supporting him..

One Cebu passed over Soco as Garcia’s running mate and chose Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV.

“Para duha ang magdala ni PJ (Pablo John Garcia)… Would that sit  well with Boboy Durano?”  said Magpale.

Soco was Gov. Gwen Garcia’s running mate in 2010 but lost to the Liberal Party’s bet Gregorio Sanchez Jr., results which he contests till today despite a final ruling of his defeat  by the Commission on Elections.

Magpale denied rumors that she and  LP standard beared Hilario “Junjun” Davide III are going around the province  separately.

“We are travelling together although we are not as visible as  One Cebu candidates because we are doing the rounds visiting leaders,” Magpale said./Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus

Mandaue gov’t studying Soon-Ruiz’s status

Can Dr.  Nerissa Soon-Ruiz still work as Mandaue city’s consultant on health after she  filed her candidacy for Cebu’s 6th congressional district?

The matter is being studied by City Hall.

The former 6th district congresswoman   was hired  by Mayor Jonas Cortes as a consulant  last July. Her contract ends in December.

Mandaue City Administrator James Abadia said they are checking her consultancy contract to see if her candidacy would affect her duties in City Hall.

“Primarily the position of a consultant also pertains to the trust and confidence of the city,”he said.

If there will be a conflict of interest, Abadia said she may be asked to resign.

Soon-Ruiz  filed her Certificate of Candidacy last week under the One Cebu party. Mayor Jonas Cortes and incumbent 6th district Rep. Luigi Quisumbing belong to the  administration Liberal Party./Correspondent Jucell Marie P. Cuyos