Partido Barug gets accreditation

CEBU, Philippines — Partido Barug of former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama is now officially registered with the Commission on Elections as a regional political party.

Rama, in a press conference, announced yesterday that the First Division of the Comelec granted on November 23 the registration and accreditation of their party.

The resolution granting Partido Barug’s application for registration was signed by presiding Commissioner Al Parreño. According to the poll body, the local party has complied with all the necessary information and documents needed for its accreditation.

On July 16, 2018, Rama along with Atty. Mat Eric Medalle, Secretary General of the group, filed the petition before the Comelec in Manila stating that Partido Barug will represent the Visayan region.

Rama sits as the party president while suspended city councilor Jose Daluz III serves as the vice president. Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera is the party treasurer while Tisa Barangay Captain Phillip Zafra is the auditor. Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. is the party’s sergeant-at-arms. Councilor Miguel Erik Espina was chosen as their media relations officer; and Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr. as director.

“We are an official political party. I am very happy that I am with me the members of Partido Barug,” Rama said.

The group was earlier named Barug Team Rama but the former mayor decided to drop his family name. He said he does not want to give emphasis on any family name in their party.

Rama said their group is composed of commendable, responsible and respectable officials.

“I’ve been telling the group that in due time, we will not be identified with a family name. In fact, at the outset when I ran in 2013, it was not my dream that the party will be named as Team Rama,” Rama said.

He assured that their accreditation with the Comelec won’t affect their alliance with other national parties. Most of the members of Partido Barug are also members of PDP-Laban.

“It will continue because I have said all of us have started with coming from Team Rama. Our affiliation with them will continue,” Rama said.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Rama for his efforts in changing the name of their local party. He vowed to work with the group for the development of the city.

Councilor Joel Garganera also commended Rama saying this is their early Christmas gift.

“Probably this is the legacy of the political leaders in Cebu that we could look forward to, that we can stand by to what we believed. I commend, and I think this is the best Christmas gift given to all of us,” he said. (FREEMAN)