Recto addresses rally, but stays off BOPK’s list

EVEN if the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) is junking him, Senate aspirant Ralph Recto got the chance to address Cebu City voters during the Liberal Party (LP) rally Saturday night.

After being introduced by BOPK candidate Noel Wenceslao, Recto joked about his “good looks” to work up the crowd, then went on to discuss his advocacy for overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

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They cheered when Recto went up the stage and greeted all the “Vilmanians.” Recto also mentioned the need for the Cebuanos to use their intelligence in voting for the right candidates in the May 10, 2010 elections.

Because the BOPK is not a political party recognized by Comelec, it coalesced with the LP so that its candidates are running under the banner of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s party.

Last January, however, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said they will give one of the 12 slots for senator to anyone their supporters want to vote for, including his cousin, former Cebu governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña, because they will junk Recto from the LP lineup when they campaign in the city.

“Vote for the other 11, just don’t vote for Ralph,” the mayor had said.

BOPK also junked Recto in the 2010 elections. Tomas had said that Recto and Sens. Manuel Villar and Pia Cayetano, who are both with the Nacionalista Party, did not help Cebu City.

Asked about Recto’s presence in Saturday’s rally in the Cebu City Sports Center, the mayor said: “I don’t want to be bastos.

But I’m not voting for him (Recto). I don’t want to act like a spoiler. I said I’ll just tolerate it.”

“Somebody suggested if it is okay (actress) Vilma (Santos) will come instead of Ralph. I said that if Ralph shows up, I’m not going to make bastos. It doesn’t matter. I will not let details spoil the whole thing,” he added.