CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Prisca Niña Mabatid on Saturday posted photos of a political meeting that left many observers raving for more details.
The photos featured at least 13 personalities believed to be in the 2022 lineup of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP)-Laban-Barug party in Cebu City.
OPAV Secretary Michael Dino was in the middle, seen raising the hands of Mabatid and Councilor Raymond Garcia.
The photos came with the captions: "It’s official. Thank you, Lord! Good luck to us for 2020. Mayor Mike Rama please insert. Mayor-vice mayor-congress-councilors”.
Barug-PDP Laban allies in Cebu City were called to an assembly led by PDP– Lakas ng Bayan vice chairman and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in Pampanga Saturday.
Present were Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, Metropolitan Cebu Water District chairman and former city councilor Jose Daluz, Cebu City Councilors Mabatid, Garcia, Jerry Guardo, James Cuenco, JunJun Osmena, Joel Garganera, and Dondon Hontiveros, and former Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, lawyer Rey Gealon, and Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Ramil Ayuman.
Interestingly, Barug-PDP Laban Cebu Chapter president and Mayor Edgardo Labella, who is on a medical leave, and Vice Mayor Michael “Mike” Rama, founder of Partido Barug, were nowhere in the photos.
When asked for comment, though, Rama yesterday said "nothing is final yet”.
“Being the head of Partido Barug, I also have my own processes. I have yet to set a meeting. I am glad though that my name was highlighted during the national assembly as a mayoralty candidate. It’s heartwarming,” he told The FREEMAN.
He said his local party has a “long list” to look into.
“Naa mantay gitawag ug long list, so to speak. Dili man na basta lang ihasmag nimo just like that,” he said.
However, Rama said he hopes that by the end of July, they would be able to identify/fill in the respective positions.
“We wish by the end of July, all of these, especially the major positions, will likely be identified gyud. But still until it’s final, it is not yet final,” said Rama.
Hontiveros, the decorated basketball player to no.1 city councilor in the south district, and Garcia are floated as possible running mate to Rama.
“It’s always something to look forward to…wishing that what you wish, and what I wish and perhaps, what others would want to desire we will be the one to happen,” said Rama.
But it is not only Rama that will decide, so everything remains a wait and see thing at the moment.
“At the end of the day, ana man gud ng realization sa politika, you don’t have to decide it by yourself, otherwise ang ending nato, kitay namili. But there are situations when you have to be given also respect.”
“At the end, consultative man ning akong utok gud. Unya, consensus building plus participatory pa gyud,” Rama said.
Rama, however, prays that everything will end out well.
Pressing Issues
In the meantime, Rama said there are more pressing matters, including the rising COVID-19 cases, requiring his attention as the acting mayor.
“I have not been in contact with anyone close to the mayor for the past days...that is the truth of the matter. I have to check yet kun unsa, but if mag-check pud ka...misunderstood pud ka.”
“Pero kun concern kas Cebu City, I’m a little bit alarm with the rising cases of COVID-19,” he said.
After attending some matters in Manila, Rama returned to Cebu and met up with barangay captains and the city's Emergency Operations Center regarding the coronavirus situation.
Rama also sits as chairman of the council's committee on health and of the council's COVID-19 Task Force. — KQD (FREEMAN)