Tag Archives: Tomas Osmena

May 2013 Elections: Candidates for Cebu City posts

25 Feb
Official seal of City of Cebu

Official seal of City of Cebu (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The elections are just 77 days away and many people do not know yet who are the official candidates for the local posts in Cebu City. Here is a list of candidates running for elective posts in the city in this coming elections:

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – CEBU CITY

FIRST DISTRICT

  1. DEL MAR, RAUL (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  2. DORONIO, JUNEX
    (INDEPENDENT)
  3. MAAMO, MARLO
    (INDEPENDENT)
  4. MAÑALAC, VIC
    (INDEPENDENT)
  5. NAVARRO, DON
    (INDEPENDENT)
  6. RAMA, ANNABELLE (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  7. VILLARIN, FLORENCIO
    (INDEPENDENT)

SECOND DISTRICT

  1. ABELLANOSA, BEBOT (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  2. BATUHAN, ARISTOTLE (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)

MAYOR – CEBU CITY

  1. OSMEÑA, TOMAS (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  2. RAMA, MIKE (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)

VICE-MAYOR – CEBU CITY

  1. LABELLA, EDGAR (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  2. YOUNG, JOY (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)

COUNCILOR – CEBU CITY

FIRST DISTRICT

  1. ALCOVER, JONG-JONG (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  2. ANDALES, BEBS (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  3. ARCHIVAL, NESTOR (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  4. ARCILLA, ALVIN (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  5. CABRERA, NIDA (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  6. DE LOS SANTOS, MARY ANN (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  7. DIZON, ALVIN (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  8. GUARDO, JERRY (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  9. JAGMOC, EDWIN (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  10. JAKOSALEM, JACK (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  11. JAPSON, LEA (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  12. KINTANAR, BOOBI (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  13. RALOTA, KAEL (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  14. RUPINTA, IMOK (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  15. SANCHEZ, YODY (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  16. WENCESLAO, NOEL ELEUTERIO (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)

SECOND DISTRICT

  1. ABELLA, AHA-HANZ (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  2. AMORES, NAIDA (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  3. ATUPAN, SAMUEL
    (INDEPENDENT)
  4. CABARRUBIAS, ROBERTO (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  5. CARILLO, GERRY (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  6. CUENCO, JAMES (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  7. DIOLA, RADDY (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  8. FERNANDEZ, COPING (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  9. GABUYA, JUN (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  10. IGNACIO-SOON, LOTLOT (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  11. LEYSON, GABBY (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  12. LIM, ALTEA (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  13. OSMEÑA, MARGOT (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  14. OSMEÑA, RICHIE (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  15. PE, JUNPE (LP)
    (LIBERAL PARTY)
  16. PEREDO, FEDERICO (PMM)
    (PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA AT MAGSASAKA)
  17. TUMULAK, DAVE (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)
  18. YLAYA, INDAY-TIKAY (UNA)
    (UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE)

Both the ruling Liberal Party and opposition United Nationalist Alliance carry a full slate for May 2013 elections.  Will the Bando Osmena Pundok Kausawagan (BOPK) magic still rule the city?  For the last few elections, former Mayor Tomas Osmena has led his party to a clean sweep.  Incumbent mayor Mike Rama will try to break the winning streak of BOPK.  It is ironic to see that Rama being a long-time BOPK stalwart is now leading the campaign against his kingmaker in the 2010 elections. The 2013 elections in Cebu City will probably be one of the most heated and widely covered in the country.  It would be very important for voters to start making their lists on who to vote for.

There will also be interesting election battles for congressional spots.  Long-time Cebu City North District Congressman Raul del Mar will come out from his 3-year hiatus to face the very emotional and popular Cebuana talent manager Annabelle Rama.  Del Mar is allied with Noy-noy Aquino’s Liberal Party while Rama is with her cousin’s line-up in UNA.  There will be clear contrast in campaign styles as del Mar is known for low-key approach while Rama is expected to bring stars from Manila to help her woo the Cebuano voters. For the South district, there will definitely be a first-time congressman as former councilor Bebot Abellanosa faces off with Atty. Aristotle Batuhan.

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Residents say NO to Guadalupe split

28 Jul

The people of Guadalupe, Cebu City has been spoken. With 67% percent of those who voted saying “No!”, the results  gave a resounding message to the politicians and the leaders who campaigned for the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 9905 of then Congressman and long-time Guadalupe resident Antonio Cuenco. The plebiscite had an underwhelming 42.5% voter turnout with 8,107 voters siding with “No” while only 3,990 wanting Cebu City’s biggest barangay to be split up.

It was a big victory for the incumbent officials led by barangay Michael Gacasan.  Former Guadalupe village chief Eugenio “Jing-Jing” Faelnar also voted for No. Bill author Antonio Cuenco was disappointed with the outcome but he accepted the decision of the residents.  Mayor Mike Rama who was a big supporter of the creation of the new Barangay Banawa-Englis failed to vote as he was outside the country.  Another happy observer was Labangon Barangay captain Victor Buendia who would have become a resident of the new barangay had the “YES” side won.  Former Mayor Tomas Osmena and wife Margot Osmena decided not to vote even if they were residents of the barangay because they wanted the people to decide for the fate of Guadalupe.  When asked for a reaction with the result, Osmena said that the result showed that Rama and Cuenco have little influence on the people of Guadalupe.

Some observers believed that Osmena was playing safe as he is afraid to create enemies with an election coming in less than 10 months.  We will not know if indeed the plebiscite have some effect on the May 2013 polls but as early as now, the opposing camps can use what happened as canon fodder for the coming election campaigns.

 

 

May 2013 Elections: Atan is now “Type O”

26 Jul

“There Are No Permanent Allies, No Permanent Enemies Only Permanent Interests.” 19th century British Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston

In the May 2010 elections, Tomas Osmeña was up against Jonathan “Atan” Guardo for the congressional seat of the Cebu City-South district.  Osmeña won via landslide along with the whole Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) lineup.  In 2007, Guardo lost to BOPK’s Antonio Cuenco for the same congressional seat.  Will Guardo be against Tomas in 2013?

Not likely! Last night, Atan announce his support for Osmeña’s in the 2013 elections during the joint birthday party of the Congressman and his wife Councilor Margot Osmeña held at the SM Cebu Trade Hall.  Guardo made his announcement in front of many BOPK members and prominent political figures like Saranggani Representative and People’s Champ Manny Pacquaio, Senators Chiz Escudero and Jinggoy Estrada and Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas.  He said in his speech that his birthday gift to his former opponent was his all-out support for his mayoralty bid in 2013.  He also gave the congressman a cake with the message “Type O nata!”.  Guardo has not announced his political plans for the coming elections.

May 2013 Elections: Bakud allies with Liberal Party

7 Jul

A major shift of alliance of Cebuano political forces were formalized yesterday when the  Barug Alang sa Kalamboan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) Party headed by Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III signed a pact with the ruling Liberal Party (LP) of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.

Vice Mayor Nito Durano took his oath as LP member on his birthday and he was thrilled that no less than the President of the Philippines was his during the historic day.  He vowed to deliver votes for the LP candidates especially the tandem of Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale who will be head the provincial line-up of the party.

Several national officials were with the President like Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas, Sen. Franklin Drilon,  Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras (brother of Vice Governor Magpale) and Budget Secretary Butch Abad.  Also present to grave the event were Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district), Rep. Luigi Quisumbing (sixth district), Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, Pinamungajan Mayor Geraldine Yapha, Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante, Barili Mayor Marianito Mariñas, Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. and Sta. Fe Mayor Jennifer Illustrisimo.  All the mayors of the 5th district were there except for Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco, and Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. Some politicians identified with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s One Cebu Party were also there like PB Thaddeo Ouano, Santander Vice Mayor Wilson Wenceslao and Samboan Mayor Raymond Calderon.

The Bakud Party has been close allies of Governor Gwen Garcia during the past three elections where they helped the governor get elected in 2004, 2007, and 2010. Governor Garcia has allied herself with UNA party of Vice-President Jejomar Binay and she is planning to run for a senate seat in the 2013 elections.

 

Bakud-LP Alliance (care of Sunstar Daily)

 

Annabelle Rama files libel against 3 showbiz personalties; almost sure of running for Cebu City North district congressional seat

28 Jun

Cebu City – Famous Cebuana talent Manager Annabelle Rama flew home to Cebu yesterday with husband Eddie Gutierrez, son Elvis and grandchildren Lorin at Venice.  It was not for a vacation or family visit. Her main purpose of the visit to her home city is to file charges against Nadia Montenegro, Amalia Fuentes, and showbiz reporter reporter Chito Alcid.  She filed several counts of libel against three for allegedly posting libelous statements in social networking sites.  She was accompanied by her lawyer Delon Richel Ramon Urot, her brother Basak San Nicolas barangay captain George Rama, and other family members and supporters, when she filed the cases at the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

In her interview, she also mentioned that she is bent on running in the coming May 2013 elections for the house seat of the Cebu City North District.  She is a cousin of the incumbent City mayor Michael Rama who are out odds with South District Congressman Tomas Osmeña.  The north district seat is currently held by Cutie Del Mar. The del Mars have long held the post and the family are staunch allies of Osmeña.

Here is a youtube video of her interview with the local media in Cebu:

2013 elections preview: Councilor Labella to run for Cebu City VM

28 Feb
Official seal of City of Cebu

Image via Wikipedia

The line-ups of the contending parties for the exciting 2013 elections in Cebu City is slowly taking shape. Councilor Edgardo Labella accepted the invitation of incumbent Mayor Mike Rama to be his running mate in the Liberal Party slate. Their candidate for the South district congressional seat will be former Congressman Antonio Cuenco. Some Barangay captains and city councilorsexpressed support for the Rama-Labella tandem. Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman and Busay Barangay captain Yody Sanchez were vocal of their support.

Current South district Congressman Tomas Osmeña is bent on getting back his old mayoralty post and he has chosen Vice Mayor  Joy Young. Osmena’s party the Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) has been the undisputed dominant party in Cebu City. Congressman Osmena will hold a press conference this week to voice out his reaction on these recent developments.

Three city councilors were also present when Councilor Labella announced his acceptance to be Mike Rama’s running mate.  Councilors Daluz, Ronald Cuenco, and Eduardo Rama Jr., who all won slots in the city council under BOPK, are now siding with the current Cebu Mayor.

While the elections is still over a year away, it is expected that many politician will start positioning themselves as potential candidates or successors in the coming days. The battle for Cebu City posts is going to be very competitive and many political pundits are excited to know more developments about the new political alignments. We will keep you posted. ;)

Samsung Galaxy Tabs for Barangay Captains

30 Aug
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña at a campaign ral...

Image via Wikipedia

If plans of Cebu City South District Congressman Tomas Osmeña push through, the 80 Cebu City Barangay leaders will be using an expensive mobile phone. the Cebu City ex-mayor is planning to give Samsung Galaxy Tabs to all barangay captains including those from the opposition.

The Galaxy Tab is a touch screen tablet computer which can double as phone. The Galaxy Tab has dual-cameras which allows video calls. The gadget is Android-based and an owner can install countless of applications into their unit.

Congressman Osmeña is also planning to give Galaxy Tabs to the barangay councilors of Guadalupe.

Cebu City Politics: Osmena drops charges against Guardo

13 Aug

Years of being the opposite side of politics, two of the city’s major political personalities have seemingly buried the hatchet. Jonathan Guardo has been the major opposition figure in the city and has faced Tomas Osmena several times in the elections and came out short everytime.

In 2010, they faced off for the Congressional spot for the Cebu City South District. Tomas Osmena won by landslide. During the campaign period of the 2010 elections, Guardo charged that  that the City Hall obstructed his attempt to deliver aid to the fire victims. This prompted then-mayor Osmena to file libel againt Guardo.

Yesterday, Guardo issued an apology to “any affront caused” by his statements. Osmena decided to drop his suit after the apology.  Many political pundits say that this move might have political implications.  Osmena so far dismissed the analysis.

City Hall Chronicles: 14 DWUP casuals now out of job

2 Jul
Cebu City City Hall

Image via Wikipedia

Cleansing has start in some departments in the City Hall as the Rama administration starts to breakaway from the systems that are in place from the previous Osmeña administrations. Weeks past there were rumors that some employees will “Tom Jones” meaning Taman June or they will be out of job at the end of June.  14 contractual employees of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor were the first set of employees who were let go by the city.

Many felt that this politically motivated.  Many of the employees who lost their job were loyal to BOPK, Congressman Osmeña’s party.  Some critics said that the notice that the City Hall to the employees was to short for them to at least start looking for work.

Mayor Mike Rama has declared weeks ago that he should work with people that he can trust and are loyal to him.  This incident at the DWUP will not be the first and more announcements will be made in the coming days.

 

 

Issues: Protestant Cemetery in Kalunasan

15 Jun

During the public hearing yesterday, several personalities and groups voiced their opposition on the proposed multi-faith cemetery.  The lot that used to be the Osmeña Shrine was donated by the Cebu City government to the Evangelical Christian Coalition of Cebu Inc. (ECCCI) days before the May 2010 elections.

Opposition Arguments:

Lahug Barangay Councilor Mary Ann De los Santos – The property is in Barangay Lahug not in Kalunasan and the city government never consulted its leaders.  She wants the deal to be voided.  Making it a cemetery could also violate city zoning rules. The property is classified as rural-residential.  She also insinuated that the timing of the donation in relation to the elections.

Girl Scouts of the Philippines Visayas represented by egional Executive Director Aida Saromines – The shrine is near the water source of several deep wells in the area including that of Camp Marina.  Having a cemetery might affect the water quality in the area.

Beverly Glen Homeowners Association (BGHA) led by its president Luis Villalon – In their letter to Mayor Mike Rama mentioned health and environmental factors as reasons to oppose the project.  The same argument were made by Beverly Hills Homeowners and the group also opined that the cemetery violates zoning laws.

Kalunasan Barangay Captain Nunilon Monares Jr. – His constituents and nearby villages are opposed to the conversion of the 4 hectare property into a cemetery.

Capitol Consultant Atty. Lito Astillero – The donation may violate the original provisions of the donation of the said property form the Provincial government to the City government years back.  He also noted that there was a  decrease in enrollment in his school The Lyceum of Cebu upon the news of having a cemetery near the school.  He said some students fear that they will see ghosts in the school.

Villa Remedios Homeowners Association head Edmundo Vinzon – He feared that the cemetery will hamper development in the area because cemetery might affect the road network.

 

Proponents:

Congressman Tomas Osmeña – The minority deserves a cemetery.  He said he has donated lots for Muslims before.  By giving non-catholic constituents a decent burial ground is showing the residents of the city that the city officials serve even the minority.  The area of the cemetery is well-drained and forested so fear of contamination is just psychological. He even offered to finance the construction of a water purification plants for the water sources in the area.

Romeo Borado, head of the evangelical coalition – He was thankful that the city has given the protestant community a place to bury their departed loved ones.

 

 

caloycomment: With the growing population of Cebu, graveyards will be scarce in the future.  The intentions of City government is good but the public must also have the right to voice out concerns about the donation.  The public hearing is a good venue and hopefully the council will come out with a resolution that will be satisfactory to all concerned parties.

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