Alvin’s group throws full support for Team Rama

CEBU, Philippines - From supporting only the top four local candidates, the party of former mayor Alvin Garcia yesterday announced its full support for Team Rama.

“Our party has agreed to endorse the entire slate of Team Rama party. I have been campaigning for Mike (Rama) at the north district since I am registered to vote there,” Garcia told reporters.

The former mayor said he believes in the programs and capabilities of incumbent mayor Michael Rama and his party.

“We will not be endorsing BOPK candidates. Chances are, they will just follow what Tomas (Osmeña) instructs them,” added Garcia who founded Kugi Uswag Sugbo (KUSUG).

KUSUG member and Pardo barangay captain Eugenio “Jun” Gabuya, Jr. is running for council under Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

Garcia explained that as opposed to the initial pronouncement that they will endorse Gabuya being a member of the party, the full backing for Team Rama meant KUSUG no longer eyes an endorsement for the Pardo barangay captain.

“Wala pa gyud mi nakastorya kang Jun (Gabuya) the whole time. Wala namo siya personal nga nakastorya especially regarding our decision to endorse Team Rama,” the KUSUG chairman emeritus explained.

Rama, for his part, felt more assured with the solid support of KUSUG on his party, saying, “It has always been a manna from heaven to receive support from any group.” He said that the initial endorsement were for himself, vice mayoral candidate Councilor Edgar Labella, and congressional aspirants Atty. Aristotle Batuhan and Annabelle Rama.

“We were so appreciative of the initial endorsement. Now, the entire slate is being supported. It’s like this has provided a legitimate stamp. We are assured of the forthcoming Team Rama victory,” Rama said.

Meanwhile, four days before the casting of votes, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama claimed that supporters from opposing party trooped to their Tuesday evening rally in barangay Tejero to distract their activity.

“I was on my way there (Tejero) when Gerry (Guardo) called me up and told me nagkagubot daw. When I got there, I asked (barangay captain) Jingjing Cadungog ‘what is this?’, Rama told reporters.

He stressed that the presence of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) supporters “has already created discomfort on my team” before the mayor arrived in U. Alviola Street.

Cadungog accordingly told Rama that he was there for “one-on-one.”

The Tejero barangay captain confirmed saying such after Team Rama local leaders told him the mayor will come to the area to discuss with him allegations about both parties.

“He has been talking things against me in his sorties. There was even a time he challenged me while I was in front of him. Now that I am finally accepting his challenge, he will decline?,” Cadungog told The Freeman.

 â€œAko siyang giingnan nga mag one-on-one mi sama sa ingon sa iyang mga leaders sa Tejero nga muatubang siya nako. Mibalibad man siya. Naa pa man gani BOPK supporter nga misulti ni mayor nga ‘sige kag hagit ni kap unya karon mubalibad na nuon ka?’,” the barangay captain explained.

Rama alleged he was interrupted while delivering his speech with rowdy BOPK supporters, prompting the mayor to approach the group led by Cadungog.

“He was never interrupted. He was booed when he declined to have a one-on-one discussion with me,” Cadungog said. He explained that his group immediately left the venue when the mayor refused because he had to attend a BOPK sortie in another sitio.

Rama pointed out that despite opposing political affiliation, he has never instructed his supporters and leaders to interrupt BOPK activities and reminded that they have even offered to man the traffic during their proclamation rally in Capitol. – (FREEMAN)