NEWSFLASH

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RUDY VS. HERBERT FOR QC MAYOR

Quezon City, Dec. 12, 1997 - Herbert Bautista thinks he is ripe for the Quezon City mayoralty, and is ready to take on all opponents, including good friend Rudy Fernandez.

"Half my life has been spent in government service, beginning with the Kabataang Barangay under Imee Marcos, " Herbert told Daily News Asia editor Sol Vanzi in an interview at Malacanang.

"I believe I've had more experience in public service than many officials who are much older than I. Unfortunately, people tend to judge me by my looks," lamented Herbert, current Vice Mayor of Quezon City.

Will he run against Rudy Fernandez?

"We are friends, but I have to think of my constituency above friendships," he replied.

Most political observers, however, tend to advise the two movie stars to run together instead of against each other in order not to divide the votes. Unless they unite, there is a big possibility that Mayor Mel Mathay will defeat them both.

Mathay has just received the endorsement of religious, civic and women's groups for his anti-smut campaign, and for closing establishments believed to be prostitution fronts.

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