Rama opposed
Not all is well in the political opposition in Cebu City contrary to what it projected to the public. Last Friday, Barug Team Rama or Barug PDP-Laban called a press conference and presented their probable slate in next year’s elections, with former mayor Michael Rama announcing his “supreme sacrifice” of sliding down as the running mate of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, the opposition’s mayoral bet.
But behind the claim that they are united, the truth is they are not. There are personalities within the group who strongly oppose the inclusion of Rama in the slate. They insist that he is more of a liability than an asset to the group. They feel he will drag the entire slate down because of his “drug protector” image.
The group said that the best compromise they can offer to Mike is for him to run for the congressional seat in the south district against incumbent Rep. Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa. He has a big chance because has huge followers in the district. Or he can remain in the sidelines and not run. They don’t even want to make him as their spokesman because he sometimes does not make sense when he talks.
They could not even agree on the name of their party. Mike insist that it should be Barug Team Rama. But the other members, especially those who took their oath with the administration’s PDP-Laban, insist that it should be Barug-PDP Laban. They want to get away from personality-based grouping. This regional party is registered with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as Partido Barug.
And with Labella as the mayoral candidate, who will lead the group? Is it Rama or Labella? That’s another issue they are going to resolve. Because Mike is still calling the shots. He even called party meetings and caucuses on his own without informing Labella. And who will handle the funding for the party? Mike insist that it should be his group but the majority opposes it.
They want Mike out. In fact, some say they will not run if Mike is in the slate. While others want a three-cornered fight among Labella, Rama and the “former political has-been.” The result of a survey conducted by an independent group from the University of the Philippines (UP) shows that in that situation, the “former political has-been” will get 38 percent, Labella 36 percent and Rama only 19 percent. That survey was the basis for Rama agreeing to slide down, according to the source.
Last Friday’s presscon was not agreed by the group. Some of the members were surprised when they were hastily called. Only Rama who organized that activity. But majority attended just to show to the public that they are united. And some members criticized Rama because, as usual, he monopolized the discussion.
He even claimed that no less than President Duterte would be their number one campaigner. Why would he say that? Is he sure that the president will campaign for them with his inclusion when he is not year cleared of the drug allegations?
Mao nay makaguba sa grupo kay kun si Mike ilang himoong spokesman magpakata lang og yawit unya dili pa makamao moestorya. Magtuyok-tuyok ra. Unya naa pa na siyay star complex. Kanang feeling nga siya ray sikat. Nagduda ko nga mabungkag ning grupoha.