A ‘dream matchup’

In the wake of the recent "yacht scandal" rocking his personal life, Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing has fired the first political salvo, declaring his intention to seek for reelection in the midterm elections next year.

Saying there are more pressing city concerns he needs to address, the firsttermer Quisumbing said it is his priority to focus on those problems. Quisumbing, however, did not give a hint about his possible mayoralty opponent. His rival in the 2016 elections, Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon, has not made waves about her intention to run against Quisumbing. But she shot down rumors about a possible tandem with the mayor next year.

But there is one name that could very well be on top of the list of personalities who may accept the challenge to face Quisumbing. Talks are now rife that Cebu Sixth District Representative Jonas Cortes may run for mayor.

Reports about a Quisumbing-Cortes showdown next year surfaced after several newly-elected barangay captains opted to take their oath before the congressman. Such development reportedly puzzled Quisumbing who said he does not have any contact with the Cortes camp.

Although Cortes has denied reports that he wants to return to the Mandaue City Hall, the rumors just refuse to die about his possible mayoralty run. Both Quisumbing and Cortes are under the PDP-Laban party.

Well, except for Cortes, there has been no other name that has a chance to win against Quisumbing. Mandauehanons can forget Lolypop Ouano-Dizon as a strong contender since she is no longer a force to reckon with following her defeat in 2016.

Should Cortes decide to run and slug it out with Quisumbing in the next elections, many expect a neck-and-neck race as the lawmaker will surely give the mayor a run for his money. Such will be a 'dream matchup' that will surely alter Mandaue City's political landscape.