Kusug finalizes bets for mayor and vice mayor

CEBU, Philippines - Kugi Uswag Sugbu has finally picked its candidates for mayor and vice mayor in next year’s elections, according to Kusug spokesman, Raymond Garcia, who is also seeking a council seat in the coming polls.

But Garcia declined to name their candidates until they can file their respective Certificates of Candidacy at the City Comelec office today.

Political parties have until 5 p.m. this afternoon to substitute their candidates or replace those who have withdrawn their CoCs.

Raymond, however, gave a hint that a Garcia will file his CoC today for mayor to replace their stand-in candidate Landelino Bontilao.

Bontilao together with his running mate Jonah John Rodriguez withdrew their candidacies the other week to give way for their legitimate candidates.

Raymond said that they experienced some delay in coming up with the decision as to whom to fill the void slots since they were waiting for the results of a survey.

He disclosed that based on the survey conducted by students from a reputable institution, their mayoral bet is way ahead of the administration’s candidate.

“Gilampaso gyud si Mike Rama sa survey, layo kaayo ug biya sa north district, sa south district, kom-bati sab kayo,” Garcia said.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama who is the standard bearer of BOPK in next year’s election said he is amused with Garcia’s announcement.

The vice mayor thought that no one will believe the opposition’s claim since, according to him, they can’t fool the Cebuanos.

“They should not make a mistake of using me for their incompetence in organizing, for their incompetence for looking of materials, because in the first place, they ran out of candidates, ako man nouy gamiton nila, mag-eleksyon ba dayon ta!” Rama dared.

Rama emphasized that Kusug leaders should realize that he is not their only opponent but the entire BOPK force.

When sought for comment, mayor Tomas Osmeña said that the survey result revealed by Raymond does not surprise him anymore.

Osmeña said the Garcias will always claim that they are strong contenders like in the past elections based on their surveys but they end up losing.

“Mao nay ilang gisulti sa last elections, every election mao nay ilang isulti, pero sa actual wala gyud, bilib gyud sila sa ilang kaugalingon, yesterday, today, tomorrow, pero sa katapusan mapildi lang gihapon naunsa man na,” Osmeña said.

Meanwhile, Raymond said that aside from mayor and vice mayor slots, they will also fill in the slot for councilor which was vacated by Anastacio Masong.

Masong, who withdrew his CoC for councilor in the south district, would probably be replaced by Cogon Pardo barangay captain Eugenio Gabuya.

Raymond believes that their slate is no pushover and they will give their opponent a hard fight come election time.

Osmeña, however, earlier said that Kusug candidates can dream whatever they want because BOPK can never allow it to happen.

The mayor is confident for their victory since they are well-organized and more prepared compared to the opposition party. — Elly Bolonos/BRP (THE FREEMAN)