CEBU, Philippines – “We will be in state of victory.”
This was the statement of Mayor Michael Rama after he bared Team Rama’s complete lineup of candidates for 2016 following the announcement of the party’s slate for the North District yesterday.
Team Rama’s bets for councilors in the North District are Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman, former congressman Pastor “Jong” Alcover, former city councilor Edwin Jagmoc, Tinago Barangay Captain Joel Garganera, and Edgardo “JP” Labella, Jr., son of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.
The vice mayor himself is seeking for reelection.
Rama made the announcement during a press conference at the Rama compound in Barangay San Nicolas.
Earlier, Rama named Councilor Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao, former barangay captain Jerry Guardo, and Kamputhaw Councilman Atty. Raymond Garcia under the Partido Panaghiusa sa Panerbisyo-Tungod Sa Gugma-Team Rama-United Nationalist Alliance or PPP-TSG-TR-UNA.
Last week, Rama bared his team’s candidates for the South District, including reelectionist councilors David Tumulak, Hanz Nendell Abella, and James Cuenco; former city councilors Jose Daluz III, Jocelyn Pesquera, Eduardo Rama, Renato “JunJun” Osmeña Jr., son of former vice mayor Renato Osmeña Sr.; and Inayawan Barangay Captain Lutherlee “Lot-Lot” Ignacio-Soon.
Former mayor Alvin Garcia will run for congressman for the North District while Councilor Gerardo Carillo will run for congressman in the South District.
“We will never run away from any fight. We will be there fighting and fighting and fighting until they will come, we will be in state of victory,” Rama said.
He said the complete slate of Team Rama will also be announced within the week, before the United Nationalist Alliance regional launch in Cebu City on Friday.
“I want to thank those who may not be part but always been recognizing them so much. It may hurt me, but we have to think as a whole because the whole has to be presented, because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” Rama said.
He said among those the party considered for the North District include Ermita barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta, Ronnie Caminade, Melvin Legaspi, Yody Sanchez, and Tara Rama. They will reportedly still support the campaign.
He said many factors were considered in coming up with decisions – surveys included.
“It was really a smorgasbord orientation, ABC (Association of Barangay Councils) being involved, us in the group being involved, then eventually discernment being involved. We always pray that we will all end up with a group so that when we will start, hopefully, all will be one,” Rama added.
Meanwhile, former mayor Tomas Osmeña will announce his own lineup in the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) soon.
“We will announce at the proper time,” he said.
Earlier, he revealed the party’s partial list, including North District Rep. Raul del Mar and South District Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa, both running for reelection.
Reports, however, have surfaced that Osmeña’s wife, Councilor Margarita Osmeña, will take Abellanosa’s place.
Osmeña will run for mayor with Councilor Nestor Archival as running mate.
BOPK’s candidates for councilors in the North District include incumbent councilors Mary Ann de los Santos, Alvin Dizon, Alvin Arcilla, Sisinio Andales and Nida Cabrera; former Vice Mayor Joy Young; and former Banilad captain Malou Tabar.
In the South District, BOPK will field councilors Margarita Osmeña and Eugenio Gabuya, Labangon Barangay Captain Victor Buendia, Mambaling councilwoman Ann Palomo, former basketball star and comedian Bonel Balingit, and Randy Navarro. –/JMO (FREEMAN)