Luigi, Fortuna file candidacies for Mandaue’s top posts

TRAFFIC was heavy from St. Joseph’s Shrine to the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Center as members of the Liberal Party-Mandaue City chapter attended Mass before filing their certificates of candidacy (COC) yesterday.

Leading the contingent were Rep. Luigi Quisumbing of Cebu’s 6th district and his running mate, former Mandaue City vice mayor Carlos Fortuna.

Fortuna was sworn into the LP fold on Monday by Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III.

More than a thousand followers along with a drum and bugle corps were on hand as Quisumbing and other LP member officials filed their candidacies.

Quisumbing was accompanied by his wife Maricar  Hofileña-Quisumbing when he filed his candidacy for mayor.

He will run against Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon  for the post next year.

Others who filed their candidacies were Jun Cortes, Nene Layese, Tony Dabon, barangay Cabancalan chairperson Cynthia Remedio, Ibabao-Estancia barangay chairman Jun del Mar, Canduman barangay chairman Leo Jabas and barangay councilman Kevin Flores Cabahug.

In a press conference held after the filing of candidacies, Quisumbing said speculations about him and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes running against each other for Cebu’s 6th congressional seat were unfounded.

He said he was unable to confirm his mayoral bid due to his work in Congress.

“The mayor and I share the same vision for Mandaue City. And we feel that vision is best shared if we work in tandem rather than against each other,” Quisumbing said.

As the LP’s vice mayoral bet, Fortuna said he will support the programs set by Cortes and Quisumbing.

Cortes said he’ll make sure  not to neglect the Mandauehanons if he gets elected to Congress.