NEWSFLASH

---

HERBERT NOT RUNNING IF RUDY DOES

Quezon City, Dec. 24, 1997 - Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista will give up his plan of running for mayor if fellow actor Rudy Fernandez files a certificate of candidacy for the same post.

Herbert talked to Newsflash editor Sol Vanzi after calling on President Ramos at Malacanang and confided his assessment of the political situation in Quezon City.

"Although I've been in government service for 14 years, I am willing to give way to Rudy Fernandez if he is serious about running for mayor," Herbert said.

"If Rudy runs and I also run for the same position, we will merely divide the voters and both lose. I would rather not run and throw my support behind Rudy to help ensure victory," he added.

Herbert ran and won in 1995 as the running mate of incumbent Mayor Mel Mathay, who is seeking re-election. Their political marriage soured and Herbert is now on the verge of announcing that he will not seek re-election as vice mayor of Mathay.

---