Mayor Rama's son eyes council seat

CEBU, Philippines — After months of speculations, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama finally confirmed that his eldest son, lawyer Mikel Francisco Rama, will be running in the next elections.

Mayor Rama, through the City’s Sugboanon channel, said Mikel will run for Cebu City councilor for the south district, the same path the former had before eventually becoming a vice mayor and mayor of the city.

According to Mayor Rama, his son's decision also has the blessing from his mother, Araceli Lim Francisco.

Mayor Rama said he is very happy to know about Mikel’s decision, saying the latter had been pushed to run for a long time. But even the Mayor felt it was not yet the right time for his son to go into politics.

“I am very happy that he has already (decided). His mama is very supportive of that,” Rama said.

After graduating from his law studies, the mayor’s son made his mark as a lawyer by training under the prestigious ACCRA Law Offices, one of the top law firms in the country, for a year before returning to Cebu.

The mayor said Mikel is very talented and has some skills better than his.

With three other partners, Mikel runs the law firm Rama Baena Tan and Ang (RBTA) Law Offices.

The mayor has tapped RBTA Law office pro bono for critical cases that matter to the city, including those that concern the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) among others.

All of the mayor's allies in the City Council under Partido Barug-PDP-Laban in the south district are also still eligible for reelection next year.

These include councilors Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros, Renato “Junjun” Osmeña Jr., Phillip Zafra, James Anthony Cuenco, Jocelyn “Joy” Pesquera, Francis Esparis and Rey Gealon.

During the last elections, only Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa under BOPK was able to secure a seat in the city council.

If these councilors remain under Rama’s wing, Mikel will complete the party’s slot for the south district. (CEBU NEWS)