BOPK bets not joining candidates’ forums

CEBU, Philippines - All candidates under the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan will no longer appear before any candidates’ forum because it will only give advantage to their opponents.

The announcement was made by Cebu City mayoralty aspirant and lawmaker Tomas Osmeña, BOPK head, just before the holding of a candidates’ forum sponsored by the youth sector where top candidates of various political groups in Cebu City and Cebu Province have been invited to appear.

Osmeña said he is sure that the people of Cebu City already know him and his accomplishments during his 15 years as mayor of the city from 1988 to 1994 and from 2001 to 2010.

When asked why the BOPK candidates will no longer participate in forums for candidates, Osmeña said “because we are always out talk, they claim for everything. People already know what I did, I don’t have to say anything. I became five term-mayor and still do not know me?”

But even if the BOPK candidates will not appear in the forum, Osmeña said they will answer all questions from the media during press conference and interviews.

“They are already losing, they need all the attention they can get, they are losing 80 percent of the barangays so they are now using media for their last ditch to stand to change the time so they are making ridiculous claim that they have the support of 76 barangay officials. There are 640 barangay officials in the city,” the south district lawmaker said.

Meanwhile, Osmeña commented on the scheduled political rally of the Team Rama-United Nationalist Alliance at the Plaza Independencia this evening, saying “rallies are useless for the local candidates, it’s good for the senators because they need exposure.  It is just a show of force.”

Osmeña also announced that he will be endorsing four senatorial candidates from the Liberal Party.

They are Ramon Magsaysay Jr., for giving Cebu City several water projects; Sen. Chiz Escudero, for giving multicabs to all 80 barangays of Cebu City aside from medical assistance to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center; Cynthia Villar for also giving aid to VSMMC; and Edgardo Angara, for giving the city infrastructure projects worth millions of pesos.

The congressman said once he becomes mayor again he will install a huge billboard in front of Cebu City Hall to inform the public which senators helped the city.

Team Rama chairman Mayor Michael Rama said his candidates may attend election forum under one condition.

“Depende sa situation. The forum should be informative,” Rama told reporters.

As to the move of BOPK, he said it’s their discretion.

“Ilaha sad na. Wa man tay pugsanay. Lahi-lahi man tag gusto. Kanang ilaha, gusto nila sila ra pu’y nag organize sa ilang tambungan. Kami sa Team Rama, di mi mahadlok muatubang kay naa mi architect, abugado, professionals ug kahibaw manulti. Gikan sa UP, Ateneo ug uban pang mga banggiitang skwelahan,” Rama said.

Meanwhile, the Mega Cebu Candidates’ Fora is set on April 10, 19 and 25 at the Cebu Cultural Center, UP Lahug Campus. This is organized by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Club, Movement for Livable Cebu, Cebu Daily News, Cebu Leads Foundation Inc. and other partners.

Candidates for mayor of Talisay City, Minglanilla, Naga City, San Fernando and Carcar City; and for congressman in the first district are scheduled for April 10.

As of yesterday, those who confirmed attendance are Rep. Eduardo Gullas of the Nacionalista Party who is running for mayor in Talisay City and his grandson, Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, who is running unopposed for congressman in the first district.

Others who confirmed attendance are re-electionist Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura of One Cebu Party, former San Fernando mayor Lakambini Reluya of One Cebu Party, and independent candidate Mariano Alegarbes of Carcar City.

Those who reportedly declined invitations are rivals Elanito Peña of NP and Marlo Cañada of Liberal Party of Minglanilla and re-electionist Mayor Antonio Canoy of San Fernando.

Candidates for mayor in Danao City, Compostela, Liloan and for congressman in the fifth district are set for the morning of April 19, while in the afternoon are the candidates of Mandaue City, Consolacion, Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City.

For the morning of April 25 the candidates for mayor, vice mayor and congressmen in Cebu City are set to speak while the governor and vice governor are reserved for the afternoon.

No one has yet confirmed attendance for the April 19 and 25 schedules as of yesterday.

Candidates are expected to answer the question, “What is your vision for the growth of Cebu?”

The issues will focus on infrastructure, urban planning, zoning, traffic and transport, land use, peace and order, leadership, poverty, job and livelihood, housing, welfare and environment among other issues.

In a press conference yesterday, the organizers cleared out that the forum is neither a debate nor a “cockfight” for candidates.  (FREEMAN)