Tony Cuenco ready with slate for south

CEBU, Philippines - Former South District representative Antonio Cuenco, who just recently pledged alliance with Mayor Michael Rama, yesterday announced that they have already gathered “strong candidates” to field during the 2013 elections against the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

In the south district alone, Cuenco said, they already have 20 people being considered to run as councilors of which the best eight will be chosen to join the running team.

“You can be assured that our candidates are well-qualified for the job and you can be sure that they are not “puppies” like some. They are independent-minded and can object to resolutions and policies that are not good for the people,” Cuenco said during the 888 News Forum yesterday at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

Cuenco also assured that the new group they have formed will listen to the voice of its members and will not allow dictatorship. He admitted meeting with the 34 barangay captains, 30 of which signed a manifesto pledging support to his candidacy.

Cuenco said he is prepared to face Councilor Margot Osmeña who is rumored to be the BOPK’s congressional candidate. Earlier, BOPK announced that three people are being considered for the spot. They are Osmeña, Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa and former Department of Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Aristotle Batuhan.

Cuenco served in the Congress for several terms. He is branding himself as the “veteran congressman”. Currently, he is the Secretary General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

During his term as congressman, he said, he facilitated the implementation of several infrastructure projects including school buildings, sports complex and other transportation infrastructures. He has also sent many Cebu City students to College and gave health aid to his constituents.

He was instrumental in the construction of the St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in barangay Basak-San Nicolas.

Mayor Michael Rama said that the results of their surveys are encouraging.

“But let us not take things with confidence,” Rama reminded his group.

Meanwhile, Rama and some department heads and officials will be off to Yokohama, Japan next week for a five-day business tour.

Cebu City was invited by the government of Yokohama City to establish technical cooperation with Cebu City for sustainable urban development.

Cebu City delegates will leave Cebu on March 27 and be back on April 1.

On March 28, a memorandum of understanding will be signed between Cebu City and Yokohama City. – (FREEMAN)