Friday, March 23, 2007 2 bry chiefs, Osmeña kin complete slate of BO-PK
TWO barangay captains and the son of Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s cousin will complete Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan’s (BO-PK) Cebu City councilorial slate for the May 14 elections.
Except for the north district candidates, printing of banners for BO-PK’s lineup is already ongoing.
This was confirmed by Day-as Barangay Captain Michael Ocleasa, who said he was commissioned by the party to make the banners.
BO-PK leader Art Barrit, Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros and City Social Welfare Officer Kathy Yso were earlier considered as possible contenders for at least three vacant slots.
But a source told Sun.Star Cebu that Basak Pardo Barangay Captain Roberto Cabarrubias and Richie Osmeña will take the slots of City Councilors Jocelyn Pesquera and Procopio Fernandez in the south district.
Pesquera and Fernandez are on their last term. Pesquera, a CPA-lawyer, said she will return to private practice, while Fernandez said he will concentrate on his fish business.
Banilad Barangay Captain Leah Japson, on the other hand, will take the place of Councilor Gabriel Leyson, who is set to run for Talisay City mayor.
Ocleasa said they are already making the banners for the south district since Richie, son of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 7 Director Rogelio Osmeña, and Cabarrubias are sure to run.
Richie and Cabarrubias will join City Councilors Gerardo Carillo, Eduardo Rama, Jr., Raul Alcoseba, Arsenio Pacaña, Jose Daluz III, and Rodrigo Abellanosa.
Ocleasa said that unlike the 2004 elections, BO-PK ordered fewer campaign materials “kay wala may klarong kontra karon.”
He said he was instructed to put on hold making the banners for the north district because Japson is still consulting her family.
Japson said in an interview that she will leave it up to the mayor to make the formal announcement.
The mayor earlier said he will let the opposition form its slate before he will reveal BO-PK’s candidates.
Richie, too, said he was surprised because BO-PK has not formally informed him yet.
He said he recently talked with Cabarrubias, who likewise did not know yet their status as far as the BOPK slots are concerned.
Deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy is midnight of March 29, or Thursday next week. (RHM)
