Rodriguezes eyeing Rufus’ wife as bet

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

THE wife of Rep. Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District is being considered to succeed the congressman who would be constitutionally barred from seeking reelection next year, a member of the political family revealed yesterday. Abante Mindanao Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. said his brother Rufus’s wife Fenina may be fielded as a candidate for the congressional seat that would be left vacant next year.

Rodriguez confirmed that members of his family have discussed the possibility. “We are already considering Nenen (Fenina) as our candidate for the 2nd District next so that there will be a continuity of projects started by Congressman Rufus,” he said.

Giggling over the phone, Ms. Rodriguez neither confirmed nor denied her brother-in-law’s revelation. She declined to comment, and then asked this paper to ask her husband Rufus instead.

Her brother-in-law’s revelation came days after Councilor Ramon Tabor of the Padayon Pilipino announced his plan to run for the congressional seat that would be up for grabs next year.

Ms. Rodriguez has an impressive curriculum vitae––she is a certified public accountant who served as chief financial officer and treasurer at the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp., and board trustee at the Silliman University. She belongs to a prominent family in Surigao, the Tiukinhoys.

Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr. said the possibility of Ms. Rodriguez running for congresswoman in the city’s 2nd District has been discussed in political circles here.

Abamin Rep. Rodriguez said members of his family met, and discussed the need for them to ensure the continuity of projects in the city’s 2nd District.

“Anogon kon dili mapadayon ang mga proyekto sa 2nd District kon la-in nga partido sa congressman ang makapuli sa puwesto ni Congressman Rufus,” said Rodriguez.

He said there was no decision yet. “Mahibaw-an nato na sa oras nga mag-file na siya sa iyang certificate of candidacy,” Rodriguez said.