THE Partido BARUG, PDP-Laban, Kusug, and Panaghiusa coalition with the Marino partylist formally presented its official slate for the May 2022 local elections through its "Panag-abot" event at the Casino Español de Cebu in Cebu City on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.
Cebu City Acting Mayor and mayor aspirant Michael Rama said what his party offers is "continuity in good governance," especially in dealing with the challenges of the current pandemic.
"Sometimes, people are worried, are we united? Unity in diversity. Unity when we are right now. Yes, there are independents, but attuned to one direction and that direction is good governance," he said.
Presidential Spokesperson and Secretary Harry Roque who was also present during the event endorsed the Barug PDP-Laban slate.
Roque said he came to Cebu to support the Barug PDP-Laban candidates who are the official supported candidates of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Asked if he will seek for seat in the senate, Roque said "I don't know."
Rama, for his part, said they will announce the name of the presidentiable they would be supporting this coming elections in due time.
He, however, said whoever will President Duterte annoint as presidential candidate, he will support as well.
Here is the official line up of the Barug PDP-laban slate:
Mayor: Michael Rama
Vice Mayor: Raymond Alvin Neri Garcia
South District Representative: Eduardo Rama
South District Councilors:
Don Hontiveros (guest candidate)
James Cuenco
Phillip Savior Zafra (guest candidate)
Renato Junjun Osmeña
Jocelyn G.Pesquera
Rey " Sting Rei" Gealon
Francis Esparis
Harry Eran
North District Representative: Niña Mabatid
North District Councilors:
Noel Gonzales Wenceslao
Joel Capili Garganera
Jerry Guardo
Jaypee Labella
Jun Revocla Alcover
Melvin Legaspi
Dr. Peter Mancao
Maria Pino
Councilor and Cebu City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) deputy chief Joel Garganera, however, was not able to attend the said presentation of candidates due to various EOC work-related meetings, he said.
In response to some netizens' questions on why the political gathering was allowed amid the pandemic, Garganera, in a separate phone interview, said the permit they gave was only good for 100 people and the maximum capacity of the venue is 300.
Incumbent City Councilor Garcia, in his speech, said in his service as a City councilor for two terms, he saw that public service has become more vital.
He also emphasized what he said was he and his team's accomplishments such as being able to author 38 ordinances, 275 committee reports, and 2,772 resolutions.
He then thanked his party for the trust, he said, it imposed on him having being chosen as their vice mayoral candidate.
Meanwhile, Councilor Mabatid who is aiming for congress representing the north district of Cebu City, said she decided to run for the position after the result of a survey she conducted.
She said she is also happy that after a thorough deliberation, she was chosen by her party for the position.
She said their party's decision was made final a week ago.
Mabatid is running against BOPK's Rachel "Cutie" del Mar.
Mabatid admitted that it would be a "more difficult" campaign for her with Richard Yap's bid for congress as well. Yap was a part of the Partido Barug until he decided to run independently for the May 2022 local elections.
"I hope he would change his mind kay I don't know why he should run to lose nga nindot man unta iyang reputation as an actor," she said.
Moreover, Mabatid said she would be hypocrite to say she is not worried of Cutie Del Mar's background, knowing she is the daughter of the late Raul del Mar, but she also said she believe that "kung unsa ang papa, dili g'yod (automatic) mao ang anak."
Edu Rama, for his part, said he is prepared to continue his 18 years of service should he be given the chance to sit as the Congressman of Cebu City South District.
"Ang akong baruganan, nga menusan nato ang kanang mga imprastruktura nga milyon-milyon ang gigasto unya dili magamit sa distrito. Focus ta sa atong mga gipanginahanglan karon sa pandemic, gikan sa health, education, economy, ug social services para sa atong mga kaigsoonang Cebuano," he said.
He would be running against former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña. (WBS)