Alvin not quitting mayoralty race

CEBU, Philippines - Kugi Uswag Sugbo mayoralty bet Alvin Garcia clarified yesterday that there no chance that he will withdraw from the mayoralty race in favor of Georgia Osmeña.

With this he totally rejected the appeal made by former senator Sonny Osmeña that he quit in favor of Georgia.

Sonny earlier announced that he has decided to withdraw his candidacy to unite the opposition and support Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s sister, Georgia.

Garcia said he wants to dispel speculations that he is even considering withdrawing his candidacy after Sonny said that there are continuous negotiations between them.

“That is simply not true. I however will admit that I’ve met with Sonny and Georgia in a meeting last week and the main reason why Sonny called a meeting was because of the issue of Mike Rama being a drug lord protector,” Garcia said.

“He was telling us that he will make the supreme sacrifice of withdrawing in favor of Georgia and he asked me to do so. I diplomatically told him that I will consult my leaders although I really do not intend to withdraw because I am the frontrunner,” he added.

Garcia said that not even once has he thought of withdrawing, especially now that their surveys show he is leading.

“In our surveys, and during the press conference of our future congressman Atan Guardo yesterday, you have seen that the bandwagon has shifted to our side and many BOPK leaders have now gone to our side. So this speculation is not true,” Garcia said.

Admitting that the issue against Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who was accused of protecting a drug lord in Cebu City, may have benefited him in a way, he said he will never take advantage of it because it is “irrelevant” in his campaign.

“When I get elected, I have lined up a few initiatives to really curtail, contain and solve the drug problems in Cebu City. First, I will create a special police task force under the office of the mayor to go after illegal drug pushers, users, etc.” he said.

He will also provide additional funds for the intelligence operations against the drug trade, strengthen the Barangay Intelligence Network in coordination with barangay officials, launch a comprehensive grassroots support program for the families of drug victims and construct a modern drug rehabilitation program.

Garcia also criticized Mayor Tomas Osmeña for installing signs at the SRP reading “This way to the S.U.P (South Underwater Properties 19 kilometers away)”, “Your Provincial Taxes at Work” and “A Proud Blunder of Gov. Gwen Garcia. I’m Sorry.”

He said the act was “childish”.

“First of all, wala sya’y labot sa probinsya. It’s very childish, irrelevant issues,” Alvin said.

Meanwhile, the vice mayor warned the people behind the distribution of campaign leaflets containing malicious allegations against him.

“I have already filed a libel case against those who are publicly destroying my name using an old issue and now, whoever is involved in the distribution of these leaflets will have to beware. Because these are black propaganda, a violation of the election campaigning. It is actionable,” Rama said.

Rama, who is the mayoralty candidate of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kausawagan, said that he will let his lawyers study possible legal action to be taken against those behind the distribution of the leaflets. 

The leaflets contain a photo of the front page of a tabloid published in March 21 last year with headline “TOM: MIKE ‘DRUG LORD PROTECTOR”. (FREEMAN NEWS)