Tumulak runs for mayor, Durano-Davide file COC

Dave Tumulak (Photo by Wenilyn Sabalo)
Dave Tumulak (Photo by Wenilyn Sabalo)

IN A surprise twist, incumbent Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor on Thursday afternoon,Oct. 7, 2021.

Tumulak, a former ally of Acting Mayor Michael Rama, is running as an independent after he finalized his decision to run for mayor of Cebu City on Tuesday.

“I have a Cona (Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance) but I will not use this to show to the public that it is better to run as an independent for the welfare of all. Rich or poor, whatever the political color, I am ready to unite with all of them,” Tumulak said in Cebuano.

Before filing his COC, Tumulak attended a mass celebrated by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma in Holy Cross Parish, Barangay Basak, Cebu City.

Tumulak said he will serve as an alternative for Cebuano voters who want to experience a new brand of leadership other than the city’s known political clans.

He is confident that even with his lack of campaign materials, his name will resound in the heart of Cebuanos.

If given the opportunity to lead the City, Tumulak said he will prioritize food security programs and health care through the provision of free medicines.

Tumulak will be up against Rama and former Cebu City councilor Margot Osmeña, wife of former mayor Tomas Osmeña.

The Osmeñas, along with aspirants under Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan, filed their COCs on Thursday morning, while Rama, along with his entire line up of aspirants under the Barug-PDP Laban, is expectes to file his COC on Friday, Oct. 8, the last day of the filing of COC for the May 2022 local elections.

Meanwhile, former Tourism Secretary Ace Durano filed his COC with runningmate incumbent Vice Governor Hilario Davide III on Thursday.

In a press conference, Durano likened his bid against Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to “a steep climb up Mt. Apo,” the Philippines’ highest mountain.

If elected, Durano plans to reform the programs for health, tourism, economy, livelihood, and youth.

‘New perspective’

Cebu needs a “new perspective,” he said.

“We saw that the priorities of the current administration are not the priorities that we should be having today,” Durano added.

Durano said if hospitals in the towns and cities of the province were equipped and the healthcare workers were given adequate attention, there would have been a big chance for the province to overcome the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“For me, the number of Covid-related deaths and infections would not have been so high if only our medical personnel were prepared, we had the right and adequate equipment and we had enough supply of oxygen,” he said in Cebuano.

He said to achieve a lower number of Covid-related deaths and infections, Cebuanos must be encouraged to get vaccinated to eventually achieve herd immunity.

For Durano, it is recommendable to purchase vaccines complemented with public education on their benefits.

Apart from the Durano-Davide tandem, other members of the Bakud (Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya) party also filed their COCs, including former Fifth District representative Ramon “Red” Durano VI who will be running against incumbent Rep. Vincent “Duke” Frasco, Gov. Garcia’s son-in-law. (ANV, JOB)

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