Batuhan willing to run in 2013 polls

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) consultant Aristotle Batuhan yesterday admitted that he and Cebu City South Rep. Tomas Osmeña are now in good terms but have not talked anything about politics just yet.

“Yes we talk but no politics yet. He asked me to continue pushing for the Bus Rail Transit, among others,” Batuhan said in a press conference yesterday.

Batuhan ran for Congress during the 2001 and 2004 elections but lost to former Congressman Antonio Cuenco who was then being supported by Osmeña. 

But the relationship between Osmeña and Cuenco turned sour after the latter left the country at the height of the barangay elections in 2007, which angered Osmeña who was then mayor of Cebu City. Cuenco has announced his political comeback in next year’s local elections while Batuhan said it is still too early and premature to announce his plans. He, nevertheless, said he is open to running for office again.

“I am open. I am always open to the possibility but it’s too early pa. Politics is so tricky,” he said.

As to his possible opponents in the congressional seat, should he decide to run, Batuhan believes that Cuenco remains more popular as compared to Cebu City Councilor Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa.

Cuenco was appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Ambassador to Italy after his term as congressman ended in 2010. He was replaced by Osmeña as congressman of Cebu City South District. Osmeña also serves as chairman of the Liberal Party in Cebu. LP is the political party of President Benigno Aquino III. 

Batuhan himself is the regional chairman of the Noynoy Aquino for President Movement and a current LP member.

Earlier, Batuhan launched his “Abante Barangay” program, which aims to provide better social services to residents of Cebu City’s South District.

Batuhan’s Abante Barangay is anchored on four major advocacies: health awareness, advancement of knowledge on information technology, community enterprise development and sports development. 

The “Himsog nga barangay” advocacy includes feeding and nutrition programs while the Barangay Information Technology or BIT program aims to provide computers to the 34 barangays and schools in the south district to improve computer literacy among the youth.

The Community Enterprise Development advocacy, on the other hand, aims to empower communities through various enterprise while the sports development program aims to advance wellness at the barangay level through sports. — (FREEMAN)