Soriano brokering Oca, Rufus talks

By NITZ ARANCON, Correspondent

FORMER vice mayor Antonio Soriano has started working to bring Mayor Oscar Moreno and Rep. Rufus Rodriguez to the negotiating table and thwart the likely fragmentation of the group that ended the 15-year rule of the then mayor Vicente Emano in the city.

Soriano yesterday confirmed that he was tasked by a group of mostly non-politicians to broker the so-called “unity talks” between Moreno and Rodriguez.

The rift in the two politicians’ relations resulted from Rodriguez’s on-air declaration on Sunday that he would run for mayor. Moreno has earlier announced he would be seeking reelection next year.

Soriano yesterday met with academics, business executives and religious leaders at Figaro, Limketkai Center, and discussed how they could help in stopping Moreno and Rodriguez from burning their bridges.

“Basically, the group is saying, ‘Listen to your bosses. Unite!’” said Soriano. He said the group tasked him to mediate, and talk with Moreno and Rodriguez as chairman of the Citizens’ Watch for Good Governance.

“Ang ila gyung gusto nga si Congressman Rodriguez ug Mayor Moreno, magka-unite to ensure a strong political group for the good of the city,” Soriano said.

He said he and Rodriguez already talked over the phone. “Ingon si Congressman Rodriguez nga andam man siya makig-estorya ni Mayor Moreno,” Soriano said. The statement attributed by Soriano to Rodriguez was consistent with what the congressman said right afer he declared his bid for the city’s mayoral post. In an earlier interview, Rodriguez said he planned to talk with Moreno this week. On Tuesday afternoon, Soriano said, he met with Moreno at Pryce Plaza, and the mayor supposedly told him that he has not closed the doors, and could meet with Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr. said Moreno was asked by city budget officer Percy Salazar during their Monday executive meeting if there was a chance he and Rodriguez could still unite in the 2016 elections.

“Ingon si Mayor Moreno nga wala may problima sa iya, andam man kuno siya nga makig-unite ni Congressman Rufus,” Lao said.