George Rama not keen on ABC post

CEBU, Philippines - Basak San Nicolas barangay chief-elect George Rama is not keen on running as president of the Association of Barangay Captain in December despite Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s support.

Rama said he cannot longer run for another position and handle another task because his already tired of doing a lot things. He also said there are other barangay captains who are allies of Team Rama who are more are deserving and willing to fulfill this duty.

“Sus, kapoy na gyud kaayo tapos padaganon pako pagka-ABC president. Di naman gani unta ko modagan pagkakonsehal pero ang mga taw man nagpadagan nako,” Rama said.

“Motabang rako sa mga mokandidato, mohatag unsa man ang ilang kinahanglanon pero di na gyud ko modagan,” he continued

City council ex-officio member Michael Ralota is the incumbent ABC president.

He said the elected barangay captains have all the capabilities, however he said only those who have the desire and passion to serve the 80 barangays are deserving to be nominated and then elected.

“Dunay kapasidad tanan but let the people (barangay captains) decide on whom they will vote para walay usab mahiubos but ato gyud i-determine pagmaayo kun kinsa ang loyal ni Mike (Mayor Michael Rama) og kun kinsa ang mas labing angayan ug intresado,” Rama explained.

Barangay captain Rama, who is a cousin of the city mayor, won over lawyer Reymelio Delute with 12,524 votes during the October 28 barangay polls.

Despite Rama’s unwillingness to run for the said post, he however said he is wants barangay captains Felicisimo Rupinta of Ermita, Phillip Zafra of Tisa, Althea Lim of barangay Poblacion Pardo, Joel Sable of Suba and Joel Garganera of Tinago to try their luck for the position.

The mayor, during yesterday’s regular press conference, said there are already two barangay captains who are interested to run for ABC president, but he did not reveal their names.

The mayor has yet to meet with his executive assistant Edu Rama, legal council Joy Pesquera, his “prime mover” Rene Mercado, minority floor leader Mary Ann delos Santos and his 41 barangay captains to tackle the upcoming ABC election.

“We (Team Rama) will first start with the core group discussion,” the mayor said.

Earlier, former Cebu City south district congressman Tomas Osmeña, downplayed Team Rama’s victory saying: “when the people find out that the city is nearing bankruptcy, one thousand barangay captains can’t save him”.

Meanwhile, his wife Margarita Osmeña, city council majority floor leader, said the barangay captains of Team Rama who won last Monday polls will not affect anyone’s political ambition in 2016 because numbers are less important than people.

The mayor yesterday countered the statement saying: “if you talk about the council, they are numbers”.

The mayor was trying to point out the city council which has 14 Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan allies over Team Rama’s four. –(FREEMAN)