JOCELYN PESQUERA

CITY COUNCILOR EYES SOUTH DISTRICT SEAT

Cebu City opposition Councilor Jocelyn “Joy” Pesquera has expressed her intention to run against incumbent south district Rep. Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa in the 2019 midterm elections.

Abellanosa, for his part, said he has no qualms about whoever will run against him for the post.

In an interview yesterday, Pesquera said that while her group Barug Team Rama is yet to decide on its final slate, her party-mates support her.

“They are supportive. As for me seeking reelection as councilor, if there are other people who want to run for the position, why not? My priority is to run for south district representative,” she said.

The councilor first sent feelers about her plans in the upcoming elections in a Facebook post dated Sept. 4.

“Some are asking if I am eligible to run as Cebu City Councilor. Ans. Yes, I’m still on my first term. Unless, you want me to serve as your representative to the House of Congress,” reads the post.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña uploaded a screen-captured photo of Pesquera’s post and wrote about it last Friday.

“Team Suyop Councilor Pesquera, it is either ‘Congress’ or ‘The House of Representatives.’ The ‘House of Congress’ does not exist for you to make walkout on. Abogado ka diba (You’re a lawyer, right)? Research before pangandoy (hoping) please,” Osmeña said.

Pesquera, though, is unfazed by the comment.

“The incumbent representative had three terms, but there’s no real voice sa south district after (former congressman Antonio) Tony Cuenco. Kailangan og representative nga maminaw sa sentimento sa mga taw (There’s a need for a representative who listens to the constituents),” she said.

The councilor lamented that projects are reportedly made without thought on how they will affect residents from the south.

“Like the Mambaling underpass project, we in the south district are badly affected. The proponents of those projects are Tomas Osmeña and Bebot Abellanosa, they didn’t listen to the sentiments of the people. Ang ila lang kay mapadayon ang proyekto, wala nila tan-awa kung gikinahanglan ba ni sa mga taw (Their only concern was pushing the project without thinking if the people needed it),” she continued.

In a separate interview, Abellanosa welcomed Pesquera’s pronouncement.

“Anybody can aspire for any elective position. Every candidate will campaign for victory. So nobody will be taken lightly,” he said.

Should Pesquera decide to push through with her congressional bid, this will be the first time for the lawyer to face Abellanosa.