NEWSFLASH

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RUDY GETS EVEN, CAMPAIGNS FOR HERBERT'S RIVAL

Quezon City, May 9, 1998 - During the selection process for the official candidate for Quezon City Mayor of the opposition party Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino (LAMMP), the choice was between actors Herbert Bautista and Rudy Fernandez.

In the end, LAMMP chose Herbert, who has been in public service for more than half his life and was Vice Mayor of Quezon City for three years under then party-mate Mayor Mel Mathay.

Everyone presumed all was well after Herbert and Rudy shook hands like true gentlemen in front of Vice President Joseph Estrada who announced the party's choice.

But apparently, Rudy Fernandez took Herbert's victory hard. He is now on the campaign trail in Quezon City against Herbert, joining the rallies of mayoralty candidate Jun Simon.

Jun Simon told reporters he did not know Rudy personally until the actor offered to help in his campaign. Rudy is definitely helping him win votes, Simon admits. Especially so now that Rudy even accompanies Simon on house-to-house campaigns.

According to Ethel Ramos of Malaya, Simon promises to help Rudy should his turn come to seek a government post come along.

Rudy told a press conference that he has not totally turned his back on politics and would like to run for Quezon City mayor in the future. Observers noted that Rudy Fernandez is already behaving like a veteran traditional politician.