Monday, March 03, 2008 Cebuanos Michael Rama, Carlo Fortuna eyeing vice mayors' league top post By Linette C. Ramos Sun.Star Staff Reporter
BOTH Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna have agreed that only one from Cebu will run for the top post of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) to have a solid vote from the Visayas.
But as of yesterday, neither of the two was willing to concede.
Rama, running for president for the third time, said that having a fellow Cebuano for an opponent for the VMLP presidency could affect his chances of getting the post.
He confirmed that he prepared for his candidacy as early as last year, and he is ready to face off with Fortuna in the election on April 17 and 18.
In a phone interview, Rama said he has already talked personally to almost all vice mayors in Cebu Province and has sent letters to all 1,600 league members, telling them of his intention to run.
If he wins, Rama said he will push for transparency and honest governance among the country’s vice mayors.
Rama said he is hopeful that Fortuna will change his mind and decide to run for another position.
But Fortuna, in a separate interview, said it would be better if he and Rama keep their options open until they would be able to assess their chances and find out who has the numbers.
Fortuna acknowledged that having only one candidate from Cebu would work for their best interest, since there would be a solid vote from the province and the rest of the Visayas.
Other aspirants are the vice mayors of Antipolo City and Batac in Ilocos Province.
“We should keep our options open before suggesting running for a lower position. It would be wise to look at our chances first and who really has the numbers, if it would be better to run together or against each other,” Fortuna said.
“If we decide that only one should run, then let’s see first whether I or he has the commitment from other provinces,” he added.
Offer?
Rama said that most of those seeking positions in the league are second and third-term vice mayors. Rama is on his last term while Fortuna is still on his first term.
“For sure my chances will be affected by his candidacy, but I’m hoping that our group can agree with Carlo (Fortuna) that if his intention is to serve the league, he might be interested in another position. Our group is made up of second and third-termers. If he really wants to run, maybe he would consider another position,” the Cebu City vice mayor said.
Rama also said he is hopeful that Fortuna will decide on his own, because Capitol officials are reportedly the ones prodding him to run.
“We will be hoping he will consider his decision because this has become like Cebu City versus Cebu Province,” he said.
He was alluding to the conflict between Cebu City and Capitol officials over the aborted land swap deal, and other matters.
In 2005, Rama ran for VMLP president but lost to Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Jessie Cruz by 70 votes.
Of the 1,600 vice mayors, only 936 attended the assembly and voted during the polls for the VMLP officers. Cruz garnered 503 votes, while Rama got 433.
If he wins this time, Rama said he will implement his nine-point agenda, which includes continuing learning and capability enhancement for all vice mayors and the adoption of a uniform procedure in coding ordinances and resolutions.
