Everybody represented - Tomas: BOPK reveals ‘balanced’ slate

CEBU, Philippines - The Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan  has  revealed its official candidates for the 2016 elections.

Former mayor and congressman Tomas Osmeña, founder of BOPK, said he is satisfied with the “balanced” lineup of people from all walks of life.

“Balanced because there is something for the masa, intellectual people, women, children, senior citizens, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender). There is really something for everybody,” he said.

“They have to realize that you are the mayor of everybody,” he added.

He added the party will campaign very hard to beat Team Rama’s candidates, headed by his political archenemy and incumbent Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

For the congressional candidates, both incumbent north district Representative Raul del Mar and south district Representative Rodrigo Abellanosa will seek reelection.

Osmeña will run for mayor while incumbent City Councilor Nestor Archival run for vice mayor.

For councilors in the north district, Osmeña said it will be incumbent city councilors Mary Ann de los Santos, Alvin Dizon, Alvin Arcilla, Sisinio Andales and Nida Cabrera, as well as former vice mayor Joy Young, former barangay captain of Banilad Malou Tabar and Tejero barangay councilman Garry Lao.

For councilors of south district, BOPK will have incumbent city councilors Margarita Osmeña and Eugenio Gabuya, and Labangon Barangay Captain Victor Buendia, Mambaling councilwoman Ann Palomo, former basketball star and comedian Bonel Balingit, Randy Navarro, Danny Pacaña, and Allan “Goliat” Nacorda.

Osmeña named his complete slate over dyLA news, when asked for confirmation he said everything is in order now.

He said they will officially be presented to the public tomorrow, Monday, 9 a.m. at the San Pedro Calungsod Church at the South Road Properties.

Osmeña said BOPK did not consider a candidate popularity survey as basis for inclusion in their slate.

“In BOPK, our job is to look for people who can serve. And it’s normal to look for who can win, but you have to make sure that if they win, they have the ability,” he said. He added BOPK considers the ability of a person over popularity.

Meanwhile, over 400 members of the LGBT community gathered yesterday night in Barangay Tejero for their first general assembly.

Lao said the members of LGBT community organized its assembly in support of BOPK.

Osmeña presented Lao as the representative of LGBT in the party’s slate.

Lao, a proud member of LGBT community, said he was surprised and thankful for being included in the official list of BOPK slate.

“I’m speechless. It’s a privilege. I know nga kining akong apelyido, dili ilado sa mga Sugbuanon apan kining apelyidoha, adunay mahimong kalamboan. It’s time to be heard and I will stand for LGBT, youth, and for Cebuanos,” he said.

Lao is working as staff member of The FREEMAN, but tendered his indefinite leave effective October 1 to May 2016.

He will soon be ending his third term as councilman, a position he first ran for in 2007.

All BOPK officials and candidates were present in the gathering. They delivered speeches asking the public to support the BOPK’s slate next year.

Dizon has presented City Ordinance No. 2339 or the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance.

“Year 2012 was indeed a historical year for Cebu City with the passage of Ordinance #2339 or the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance making us the first highly urbanized city in the country to adopt a comprehensive policy against the discrimination of minority sectors of our society,” he said.

Dizon drafted the said ordinance, saying it is for the concrete expression of the city’s firm commitment to the universality of human dignity and respect for human rights.

“It is our humble contribution in helping Cebu become a discrimination-free city,” he said. — /BRP (FREEMAN)