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MANDAUE City Mayor Jonas Cortes has transformed the non-government organization Kaabag into his own political group so that his supporters would have a political machine of their own.
Cortes said that if neighboring Cebu City has Bando Osmeńa - Pundok Kauswagan, Mandaue City will have Kaabag.
“I will not be hypocrite about preparing for my long-term (political) plans,” Cortes told reporters in a press conference.
Kaabag started out as a foundation led by Mandaue City first lady Sarah Cortes. The group holds civic activities in different barangays.
But Kaabag has also acted in the political arena, Cortes said, particularly in the 2007 elections.
“At that time, our group in the election was really Kaabag,” the mayor said.
He said that because he has already officially announced that Kaabag will be his political group, his supporters would now have their own identity.
Cortes said Kaabag is opening its doors to additional members from the barangays.
“All members will have equal footing, united and have a sense of belongingness,” the mayor said.
The mayor showed the new party’s logo: A boulder carried by a number of people.
Cortes explained that the boulder represented Mandaue City and that each resident has a share in moving the city forward.
Kaabag was the group responsible for raising funds that enabled City Hall to organize activities for city residents, such as a Christmas party for indigents.
Cortes’ political group gained him a 15,000-vote lead in the 2007 elections, ending 20 years of leadership by the Ouano family.
Cortes defeated Jonkie Ouano, son of former mayor Thadeo Ouano, in the 2007 elections.
Thadeo’s nine-year stay as mayor was preceded by that of his father, Alfredo Ouano.
In the upcoming 2010 elections, Cortes is expected to face Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz of Cebu’s 6th district for the city’s mayoral seat.
In 2008, Ruiz poured projects into Mandaue City using her Priority Development Assistance Fund.
Cortes criticized Ruiz’s move, saying she did not coordinate with the city government in implementing her projects. Reporter Dale Israel
