Mandaue City has P1.2 Billion in Savings Under Team Mandaue’s Mayor Jonas Cortes’s Regime

Things are looking good for Team Mandaue’s candidates as financial records reveal that Mandaue City has a total savings of over Php 1.2 billion deposited in various government banks.

Despite the general downturn in the economy, Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes was able to keep the city out of the red, prompting the opposition councilors to throw pot shots at him for not using up its Php 2.8 billion budget for infrastructure projects.

In response, Mandaue City Administrator Briccio Boholst clarified that the Php 2.8 billion budget referred to by the opposition was not solely intended for infrastructure projects,  but included routine city expenditures such as salaries and wages of employees, payments of loans incurred by the past administration and utilities.

Mandaue's Comparative Revenues

You may also want to read:

• “Mandaue has P 1.2 billion in savings” by The Freeman’s Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon

Do Legislators Make Good Mayors?

The Mayor’s position is an executive function– his primary role is to make critical decisions and to execute the law for his city.  It requires expertise in many aspects such as education, finance and health.  It is a round-the-clock  job, something that a legislator or member of Congress lacks in experience.

Mayor’s Experience

When choosing a Mayor, experience in the SAME function is important.  Legislators don’t have the kind of workweek that a Mayor has.  Those in Congress typically work only a few days a week, go on frequent trips abroad and have long vacations that Mayors don’t have the luxury of taking.   And it is a known fact that legislators don’t draft their own bills though they maintain staff members, including legal specialists, for this.  This is why legislators don’t always make good mayors.  They have not been exposed to the kind of hard work that Mayors regularly perform nor are they used to the daily grind of the Mayor’s office.

How politicians stay in power

In the Philippines, politicians typically set their eyes on other elective positions because the Constitution sets term limits.  So you have three-term congressmen suddenly vying for Governor or Mayor, and vice versa.  Even the current President is downshifting to a seat in Congress– only for political continuity. 

If they don’t make that switch,

they will be jobless by June.

When their consecutive terms are up, they aim for another position, not necessarily to be of service, but only to keep themselves from being unemployed.  It is a common practice that perpetuates ignoramuses in power but unfortunately, many have gotten used to it.  But what has it gotten this country?  Not much, that’s for sure.

What you can do

It takes political will to change old habits and to go against the grain.  But change is possible if the majority does something about it.  This is why it is not mere lip service to remind voters to choose wisely. 

If you want change, it has to start within you.

Jonas Cortes, Team Mandaue Off to a Good Start

AND THE RACE IS ON!

Yesterday was the official start of the local candidates’ campaign period and Team Mandaue was off to a good start as re-electionist Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, along with fellow LP candidates, attended holy mass at the National Shrine of St. Joseph first thing in the morning. 

News reporters covering the event observed that Team Mandaue’s opening salvo was well attended “filling the church to overflowing with hundreds of supporters.” 

On the other hand, challenger Nerissa Ruiz’s first day of campaign was marked by controversy as local daily headlines announce her intention to dump presidential candidate Gibo Teodoro for Manny Villar because the former was lagging behind surveys. 

When asked to comment on his opponent’s move, Mayor Jonas Cortes said: “Now the people see for themselves how they flip-flop on their stand. How can you expect them to be good leaders? ”

You may also want to read:

• “It’s Holy Week and the Season of Betrayal Begins” by Valeriano Avila (PhilStar)
• Facebook comments on Nerissa Soon-Ruiz’s Betrayal
• “Gwen Cuts off Ties with Nerry: One Cebu party no longer has candidates for Mandaue City” by Dale Israel (Inquirer.net)

Mixed Politics in Favor of Team Mandaue’s Jonas Cortes and the Mandaue Elderly

Governor Gwen Garcia announced that she will prioritize the welfare of senior citizens in Mandaue City even though some of her supporters have suggested that she drop the plan.  After all, it IS election season and such a move is perceived to be favorable to Team Mandaue’s re-electionist Mayor Jonas Cortes, Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz’s rival in the mayoralty race. Garcia, by the way, is backing Ruiz.

Garcia explained that she decided not to heed the advice of some supporters (now what public servant would have the heart to block any assistance to senior citizens?)  because she did not feel it was right to let the senior citizens suffer. 

Speaking in behalf of the beneficiaries of such a move, Mayor Cortes expressed his gratitude to Garcia for giving importance to the elderly in the city.

Source:  PhilStar.com