Tomas offers Tumulak deputy mayor position

After declaring independence from any political party, former Team Rama member Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak gets an offer from Mayor Tomas Osmeña to be the city's deputy mayor for police matters.

In his press conference yesterday, Osmeña explained why he wants Tumulak for the position.

"Yeah, because he's more focused on peace and order. Just police matters, walay labot ang traffic. I have obviously a PR problem with the police, siya nalang mahimong lead padung sa police," Osmeña said.

For his part, Tumulak said that he cannot accept the offer yet since he personally needs to discuss the matter with Osmeña to determine if it is justifiable and for the good of the Cebuanos.

"Wala sa ko modawat ana sa pagkakaron kay ako paman nang

he said over the ikonsulta niya," phone.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, who is currently the deputy mayor for peace and order, said that he welcomes the move of Osmeña. He said he spoke with the mayor earlier to discuss the matter.

If Tumulak will accept the position, he will handle police matters while Andales will still handle other programs under peace and order like proposals, requests, and projects of other agencies like Maritime Industry Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Hall of Justice, and even barangays in the city.

"Well, I have no problem with that. Okay raman nga si Dave ang mo-handle sa police matters considering nga knowledgeable siya as far as security is concerned,"Andales said.

Tumulak declared himself an independent councilor reportedly due to the "chaotic" state of politics in the city. Tumulak, who is on his second term, was with Team Rama Panaghiusa for three years.

He said he does not consider himself part of Team Rama anymore and will neither be joining the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

Osmeña said Tumulak has no future under Team Rama.

"They have no ability to be creative, may lang sila mangita og sala. I know these people, they cannot come up with any simple suggestion," he said.

Osmeña did not directly answer whether he will invite Tumulak to join the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan party.

"There's no point of joining BOPK because there is no election in the first place but he wants to work with us, okay," Osmeña said.

In a separate interview, Team Rama head, former mayor Michael Rama, admitted that he did not expect Tumulak to leave their party.

"I never have seen that coming, but for me I always have the rule that politics is the game of the unexpected," he told reporters.

Rama said he can only wish Tumulak the best.

Aside from Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella also said he was surprised by Tumulak's move, but said they respect his decision.

"Okay I respect his decision, this is a democratic country. We wish him all the luck. Since I respect him it's up to him," Labella said.—

Leyson/ATO

Odessa O.