Fight for north district congress seat: Alvin’s camp claims ‘advantage’

CEBU, Philippines -  Though Alvin Garcia has not formally announced yet his congressional bid, his camp has claimed that the former Cebu City mayor is at an advantage over incumbent south district Representative Raul del Mar in the 2016 elections.

Camputhaw Barangay Councilman Raymond Alvin Garcia said one advantage his father has is being with the administration of Mayor Michael Rama.

“Ma-level na kay si del Mar wa naman siyay PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund),” said Raymond during the weekly Suknaay sa SUKNA Forum yesterday at the Mariner’s Court at Pier 1 in Cebu City.

Del Mar, 74, who has been elected to six terms as member of the House of Representatives belongs to Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), a regional party allied with the Liberal Party,

He was elected to three consecutive terms in Congress beginning in 1987 until 1998, and was elected again in 2001, 2004 and 2007. His children Raoul and Rachel also held the position at one time.

Raymond believed del Mar could be brought down, citing the Martinezes in the fourth district of the Province of Cebu who reigned for decades but whose reign ended when the people elected Representative Benhur Salimbangon.

“We in the city, let’s pick a new person with a new vision for Cebu City, let’s give somebody a chance to reign in the district,” he said.

Raymond said among Alvin’s priorities if elected congressman is to solve the flooding and traffic problems of the city through a coordinated effort by the proposed Metro Cebu Development Authority pushed by the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board.

Raymond, president of the 560-member Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines-Cebu City chapter, already announced his bid for city councilor of the north district under Team Rama.

Alvin, the founder of Kugi Uswag Sugbo (KUSUG) party, was hired by Rama as consultant since July 1, 2013 when the mayor was elected for his second term.

Raymond also said KUSUG has been lying low in past elections but the party is now in coalition with Team Rama for the 2016 elections.

He claimed that the party was among those that helped Rama win in the 2013 elections.

“We are still active and a very potent force; we are a force to reckon with,” he said. —/RHM (FREEMAN)