Dave mum on what position to run for

While saying he will definitely run for a government position in the 2019 midterm elections, Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak is mum on what specific position.

What is certain, though, is that Tumulak is included in Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan’s (BOPK) list of possible bets.

“Yes, what I know is I’m included in the BOPK lineup. The mayor also said so. I will run. The BOPK is just considering me as one of their councilors,” he said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s wife, Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, also confirmed that Tumulak is in BOPK’s list of possible candidates despite speculations that the latter is jumping ship.

Margot, though, did not specify what position Tumulak will run for.

“Yes, Dave is on the list. Period,” she said.

Unverified reports said that Tumulak, a former member of the opposition, is replacing former mayor Michael Rama as Partido-Barug Team Rama’s bet for vice mayor.

Tumulak won as number one councilor in the 2016 May elections under Barug Team Rama. But three months later, he declared himself independent before joining BOPK.

Although BOPK is yet to announce its final slate, Mayor Osmeña said he is open to running with Councilors Tumulak or Mary Ann de los Santos as his vice mayor.

“There are many potentials lining up for BOPK. As of this time, the list is complete, but there are still many in the waitlist. Definitely, to erase doubts, I will run. People want that I run,” Tumulak said.

Rama reiterated that he will be Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella’s running mate, following speculations that he will run for mayor with Councilor Erik Espina as his running mate.

“It’s not in my mid. I was very clear that I’m running for vice mayor. I have no intentions to run for a higher position,” he said.

Meanwhile, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu City south district election officer Edwin Cadungog reminded political aspirants to secure all necessary documents before filing their certificates of candidacy (COC) next week to avoid problems.

Cebu City north district election officer Marchel Sarno also reminded political aspirants to thoroughly review the entries they will write in their COCs.

The Comelec will start printing ballots as early as the first week of December.

Based on an unofficial report dated Oct. 1, there are 714,421 registered voters in Cebu City. Around 386,485 are from the south district, while 327,936 are from the north.

Of the number, 23,064 (south district) and 20,462 (north district) registered from July to Sept. 29 this year.