While accepting defeat: Alvin quits KUSUG, retires from politics

CEBU, Philippines - Former Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia has stepped down as chairman of Kugi Uswag Sugbo and announced his retirement from politics yesterday during a press conference he called at his residence along Gorordo Avenue.

In accepting his defeat to Michael Rama (Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan), Garcia takes full responsibility of KUSUG’s loss, saying insufficient funds prevented them to wage a city-wide political campaign to conduct forums and not having anticipated ramifications of the automated voting system.

“Being responsible for the loss, I now step down as leader of KUSUG and ask our younger leaders like Mary Ann de los Santos, Jonathan Guardo, Raymond Garcia and others to carry the torch of KUSUG to the future.” said Garcia.

The former mayor further stated that the younger leaders are now responsible to direct a new course for KUSUG, recast its platform, advocacies and plans, recruit new members and whatever else is needed to revitalize the party.

Garcia also formally announced his retirement from politics, saying that he knows fully well that he had served Cebu City honestly and well.

“I feel nga edad-edaran na gyud ko, the shadows are lengthening, naa na ko sa hapon sa banag-banag, ug kulong-kulong sa akoang kinabuhi. Ang mga anino kay tag-as na kaayo.” Garcia said.

He however stressed that he will still be available for consultation and advice, and will be willing to help Rama most especially with his initiatives like the Waterfront Development Project which he wants to continue to work on for the increase of the city’s tourism.

Businessman Jonathan Guardo and Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann delos Santos, who were also present in the conference, also accepted their defeat.

Delos Santos and Guardo, who both ran for representatives of the city’s north and south districts, respectively, were defeated by Rachel Marguerite Del Mar and Tomas Osmeña, both of BOPK.

The opposition leaders said it could have been easy to concede defeat to worthy opponents if the rules were fair and the officials conducting the elections were impartial.

Guardo said that he did his best in campaigning, and despite his loss to Osmeña, he expressed his gratitude to his supporters for their unwavering support.

Nonetheless, the KUSUG leaders said they will remain an opposition. But they said they are willing to cooperate with Rama, if they are asked to, especially in managing the city’s budget expense to suit to the needs of the people.

Meanwhile, Georgia Osmeña, who ranked third in the mayoralty race, said that losing this year’s election does not mean it is already politically over for her.

“As I congratulate my opponent for his win, I assure the people of Cebu City you have not seen the last of Georgia Osmeña. I will be back,” she said in a pres statement.

Osmeña vowed that even as an ordinary citizen of the city, she will continue to help the people of Cebu in her own ways.

“I will continue to help the people of Cebu in whatever way I can and I will be a vigilant and tireless enemy of graft, corruption and political bullying in Cebu,” she said.

“The election is over, the votes have been counted. It has been a difficult campaign for me. I wish to thank all those who believed in me and stood by even when the going got tough. I thank the media and the people of Cebu who showed me their appreciation and called out their needs to me,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña in the final tally got a total of 16,620 votes compare to Rama and Garcia’s 210,520 votes and 120,327 votes respectively.—Jessica Ann R. Pareja and Joanna Mae T. Eborda, UPVCC Intern/WAB(FREEMAN NEWS)