Mike unfazed by ALU-TUCP's endorsement of BOPK

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama told his fellow Team Rama candidates to intensify their campaign in the grassroots level and convince the people that they can do more than their opponents, if given a chance to manage the city.

The reelectionist mayor said this a day after the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) endorsed the candidacy of his rival, Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña and other candidates of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

"Wala na man ta'y mahimo ana kay may gi-endorse na man sila. Ang-ang man og mag-crying baby ta. Trabaho, trabaho lang g'yud ta, doblehon ang atong paningkamot," Rama told reporters yesterday.

But Rama did not give so much weight on the endorsement because he knows that not all members will follow what their leaders say.

He said he is certain that some members are independent-minded and they will vote for the candidates whom they believe are capable of leading the city.

ALU-TUCP has 18,000 member living in the city.

Of the 20 BOPK candidates who are vying for various elective posts in Cebu City, only former councilor Nestor Archival is not endorsed by the labor union officials.

Art Barrit, head of the labor union's education department, said they cannot endorse all the BOPK candidates because they have decided to support the candidacy of Boobi Kintanar whose grandfather, Isidro Kintanar, helped DYLA secure its franchise.

Kintanar is running for councilor of the Cebu City North District under Team Rama. (FREEMAN)