Team Rama has 41 of 80 brgy chiefs, Rama’s allies win brgy polls

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama has gained the upper hand in the proxy war between him and former Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña after 41 of Team Rama's allies won in the barangay polls last Monday.

Of the 80 barangays in the city, only 26 candidates who ran for barangay captain and are allied with Osmeña's Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) won.

Rama said the 13 other newly-elected barangay captains are what he considers "harmless" or those who are allied with the BOPK but are not critical against him and his administration.

The mayor considered the barangay elections results as a "wish granted."

"I'm so happy because it's over and the elections were orderly and clean. I only wanted a 17 percent win in the south district and a 19 percent win in the north but I was given more," he said adding that more than 50 percent of his allies won seats in the barangay elections.

 Osmeña, in a text message sent to The Freeman, however, downplayed Team Rama's victory in last Monday's polls saying, "When the people find out that the city is nearing bankruptcy, one thousand barangay captains can't save him (Rama)."

City Council Majority Floor Leader and Osmeña's wife, Margot, meanwhile said that the results of the barangay elections do not affect anybody's political ambitions for 2016.

"These barangay captains are not numbers, they are people. We just showed support to those candidates who also supported us. For those who won, we are happy for them. For those who lost, life goes on. But it doesn't mean that we will abandon our people. Win or lose, we are behind them. It is a commitment," she said, adding that 2016 is still too far and the people behind BOPK "don't think about it yet."

University of the Philippines Political Science Professor Phoebe Zoe Sanchez, however, said that the proxy-war of Rama and Osmeña is nothing new in the local political arena.

"Their camps are both the same. Tomas is setting up new and old protégés again, apparently for the 2016 elections. Mayor Rama sustains team members for assurance to sustain office. The contest remains," Sanchez said. "Nothing is new. And the masses ride on it like a ship traveling by," she added.

Barangay elections are supposed to be non-partisan, as provided for in the Omnibus Election Code. But in reality, those who ran for positions in last Monday's polls were supported by the two ruling parties in the city.

There are 46 barangays in the city's north district and 34 in the south district.

The newly-elected allies of Team Rama in the north are Felicisimo Rupinta (Ermita), Elvis Narra (Adlaon), Noli Alcover (Agsungot), Joventino Ardaba (San Jose), Joel Garganera (Tinago), Evelyn Letigio (Zapatera), Wilson Bacor (Binaliw), Reynald Lauron (Cambinocot), Trifonio Lequigan Jr. (Camputhaw), Amelo Lopez (Busay), Ramil Ayuman (Apas), Raquel Avila (Kamagayan), Jovito Taborada Jr. (Lahug), Armando Ermac (Lusaran), Rian Tante (Luz), Leonilo Bontilao (Pit-os), Lidiore Miranda (San Roque), Alan Masecampo ( San Antonio), Eloise Marie Lim (Sta. Cruz), Florentina Malazarte (Taptap) and Majorita Cangmaong (Malubog).

Team Rama allies in the south are George Rama, the mayor's cousin (Basak San Nicolas), Yolandito Cagang (Basak Pardo), Rosalita Callino (Buot), Maria Yvonne Feliciano (Calamba), Elmer Abella (Duljo Fatima), Lutherlee Ignacio-Soon (Inayawan), Jeffrey Navarro (Kinasang-an), Altea Lim (Poblacion Pardo), Jose Navarro (Punta Princesa), Jerson Cadampog (Pung-ol Sibugay), Prancrasio Esparis (Quiot), Ariel Yburan (Sawang Calero), Joel Sable (Suba), Dante Tabucal (Sudlon I), Ana dela Cerna Tabal (Tagbao), Phillip Zafra, (Tisa), Alejandro Borres (Toong), Ramon Ylaya (Sinsin), Lorna Damalerio (Sapangdaku) and Ronaldo Labitad (Pamutan).

Newly-elected barangay captains that Mayor Rama considers as allies of the BOPK are: South District - Eduardo Cabriana (Bonbon), Gremar Barete (Buhisan), Harry Eran (Cogon Pardo), Julius Guioguio (Abuno-Pasil), Abraham Desamparado (San Nicolas Central), Winefredo Macario (Sudlon II), Lucresia Gabato (Tabunan), Victor Buendia (Labangon), Michael Gacasan (Guadalupe) and Antonio Caruzca (Pahina San Nicolas); North District - Pancho Ramirez (Sto.Niño), Orlan Herrera (Guba), Omar Durano Sr. (Cogon Ramos), Jerome Puerto (Day-as), Zenaida Colina (Bacayan), Nerissa Antolihao (Budla-an), Jose Lim Jr. (Kasambagan), Reynaldo Ompoc (Mabolo), Carlo Yap (Pahina Centra), Jeremias Nuñez (Pari-an), Casimiro Pilones (Paril), Dario Arcilla (Talamban), Manuel Gimeno (T. Padilla), Felix Limotan (Sirao), Jesielou Cadungog (Tejero) and Maria Velasquez (Pulangbato).

Barangay captains allied with BOPK but are considered "harmless" by the mayor are: North District - Manuel Guanzon (Capitol Site), Nicolas Leyson Sr. (Banilad), Petronilo Fat Jr. (Hipodromo), Fritzgerald Herrera (Lorega San Miguel), Manny Pepito (Mabini), Carmilo Yap (Kalubihan), Carl Belarmino (Sambag II), Lemar Alcover (Sambag I) and Eduardo Lauron (Carreta); South District  - Dolorito Cesar (Babag), Rodrigo Jabellana (Bulacao), Nunilon Monares (Kalunasan), and Wilfredo Go (Mambaling).

Comelec figures

Meanwhile, Comelec regional director Temie Lambino said the commission projects an 86 percent voter turnout in the region, which is much higher than the 82-83 percent voter turnout during the May midterm elections.

Also, among the four pilot centers for the Accessible Polling Places (APPs), Cebu got the highest voter turnout of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens of 97.3 percent. Voter turnout for APPs in Manila was 97.2 percent; 86 percent in General Santos; and 84 percent in Lipa, Batangas. -/QSB (FREEMAN)