CEBU, Philippines - The “Type O†sign, which is used to identify supporters of the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK), has become a trademark of a t-shirt that will come out soon.
Cebu City South District Representative Tomas R. Osmeña said somebody decided to have the “Type O†sign registered with the Intellectual Property Rights Office of the Philippines (IPROP).
Osmeña said he is just using the sign without any monetary consideration.
The lawmaker said he will not remove the sign posted around the city because it is not campaign propaganda of the BOPK candidates.
Early last year, many people indentified with the BOPK started to wear t-shirts printed with “Type O†sign. Some vehicles even have “Type O†stickers.
Some believed the letter “O†means Osmeña, the founder of the BOPK.
Osmeña was smiling when he narrated to reporters that the “Type O†sign will soon become more popular when t-shirts bearing it will be displayed in the market.
For his part, Mayor Michael Rama said he was not affected by the “Type O†trademark.
Rama believed the move will not help the BOPK win in the May elections.
“Dili ta manghilabot ana nila. Pabuhata sila sa ilang gustong buhaton. It doesn’t matter, dili man na makapadaug nila,†he said. — With Marigold P. Lebumfacil/LPM (FREEMAN)