Team Rama drops Tingog Partylist

CEBU, Philippines — Months before the May 2025 polls, former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama confirmed that they have dropping their support for Tingog Partylist, which is led by Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez, wife of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Early campaign posters of Partido Barug-BagOng Sugbo had previously featured Tingog.

However, with Rama’s stance against the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte, the former said in an interview with The Freeman that it was best for them to withdraw support for the said partylist.

“It does not make any sense nga naay Tingog and we are standing against the impeachment. I’m talking about Partido Barug,” Rama said.

Rama stressed that the decision is for Partido Barug, a party he leads, while clarifying that he is still unsure of the decision of ABC president and ex-officio councilor Franklyn Ong, who is their team’s congressional bet for the north district.

Ong’s party has merged with Team Barug, making up half of the Team Barug-BagOng Sugbo-Team Rama, which was formed late last year.

Rama mentioned that his nephew, Cong. Eduardo Rama, told him that Ong will carry Tingog in his area.

“But I still have to check that with Ong. It’s different when you hear it directly from his mouth,” Rama said.

Further, Rama is not preventing his nephew, Cebu City South District Representative Edu Rama, from continuing to endorse Tingog, as the latter also signed the impeachment complaint against VP Sara.

“Cong. Edu, who also signed the impeachment (just like the Romualdezes)… will still carry Tingog,” Rama said.

Rama disclosed that it was actually Cong. Edu who originally brought Tingog into their party.

“Kanang Tingog, Edu na na. Siya man gyuy original anang Tingog,” Rama said.

Following this decision, Rama has instructed the removal of Tingog Partylist from all campaign materials to avoid confusion.

“All my tarpaulins, I’ve been telling them—erase… If possible, printing without Tingog anymore,” Rama added.

On the other hand, while dropping Tingog and expressing his opposition to VP Sara’s impeachment, Rama said he has not yet formally withdrawn his support for President Bongbong Marcos.

Rama was one of the first to push for the UniTeam of President Marcos Jr. and VP Sara Duterte, believing that the two would lead the country to unity and prosperity—only for their alliance to break down early in their administration.

On February 13, ex-Mayor Rama, along with his running mate for the upcoming elections, Vice Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros, attended the PDP-Laban kick-off event in San Juan City.

They were also joined by several City Council candidates—including Rama’s eldest son, Atty. Mikel, Ernest Herrera, Mae Anne Aguipo, Maria Pino Buanghog, Gremar Barete, Jessica Resch, Rey Lauron, and Ramon Alcoseba. Cong. Edu, Ong, and several other councilor candidates were not present.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte formally endorsed Rama, who is seeking re-election, along with Hontiveros and the rest of their slate, via a symbolic raising of hands.— (FREEMAN)