AN OPPOSITION leader in Cebu City said they will be ready with their slate for the 2010 elections by next month, ahead of the administration party.

Businessman Jonathan “Atan” Guardo said they have already identified five to six candidates for the north district for Kugi, Uswag Sugbo (Kusug). He said he will also see what he can do for Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) barangay captains who may want to transfer to the opposition for the chance to run for city councilor.

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In the north district, he said, the opposition needs two to three more candidates.

“If they really want to join, tan-awon nato (we’ll see). Many of the captains used to be allies of (former mayor) Alvin Garcia before,” Guardo said.

The barangay captains, he said, shifted allegiance when Mayor Tomas Osmeña won over former mayor Garcia in the 2001 elections.

“I talked with Alvin and Raymond (Garcia) last Saturday. And they told me that if the elections are to be computerized, he (Alvin) will run for mayor next year,” said Guardo.

In a recent interview, Alvin said he is contented with his life as a retiree, and advised Osmeña to rest instead of running for south district congressman.

He, however, said he has always kept his “options open.”

In a text message last night, Alvin said he has made no decision yet.

“What is sure is that the opposition in the city will field a complete ticket, from mayor, vice mayor down to the last councilor, both north and south districts, including the congressman in both districts,” he said.

Guardo is eyeing the south district representative’s seat, while Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos is the opposition’s candidate for north district representative to contest Rachel “Cutie” del Mar’s bid.

Guardo lost to Rep. Antonio Cuenco in the 2007 elections, but immediately buckled down to work in the district by implementing his own programs.

De los Santos, on the other hand, will bank on the 100,000 residents who voted for her against Osmeña during the race for the mayoral post in 2007.

Guardo yesterday said that Raymond already has the list of five to six candidates for north district city councilors, and the party can still accommodate the BOPK barangay captains.

A few barangay captains, all BOPK allies, expressed fear last Wednesday that their colleagues who want to run for city councilor may defect to the opposition if they are shut out of the administration party’s ticket.

Several, they said, have reportedly expressed interest to run for a seat in the City Council, but only five slots will be vacated by councilors who are on their last terms.

BOPK will need only three candidates for councilors in the north district and two in the south district to complete its lineup for the 2010 elections.

Barangay captains who already expressed interest in running are Eliodoro Sanchez of Busay, Nida Cabrera of Luz, Michael Ralota of T. Padilla, Jose Marino Benedicto of Zapatera and lawyer Sisinio Andales of Pahina Central.

After the inaugural session last Wednesday, some barangay captains said there are others who also want to run for the city council.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has said they cannot stop the barangay captains from defecting. That is why, he said, they will conduct surveys so they can be guided on who among the possible candidates will be favored by voters.