Rama ready to sacrifice for Labella

Former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama is willing to “sacrifice” his dream to return to City Hall for Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

“I can sacrifice myself, but I cannot sacrifice my dreams for a greater Cebu City; and so, if it takes me as the founder of Barug Team Rama to do a supreme sacrifice, so be it,” he said.

Just last May, Rama expressed his intention to run for mayor again after getting defeated by Tomas Osmeña in the 2016 polls.

But supporters were torn after Labella also said he would run for the post.

Yesterday, Rama said he will be willing to run with Labella next year if Labella and the vice mayor’s supporters will have him.

“Hence, I leave my political fate in the hands of the people that supports Barug Team Rama… While on the other hand, if the dictates of Barug Team Rama supporters is for me to run again as mayor of Cebu City, I will earnestly seek Edgar’s conformity to run again as my Vice Mayor,” Rama said.

Labella, who was present at yesterday’s press conference, said he will support Rama and their supporters will endorse their tandem.

“I would like to underscore the fact that this is a group that not one is ambitious. I would like to disabuse the minds that not one is ambitious. Will always adhere to the wish of the majority of the Cebuanos,” Labella said.

Rama started his political career as city councilor from 1992 to 2001 before becoming vice mayor from 2001 to 2010. He was elected mayor in 2010 and was reelected in 2013.

It was in July when Labella announced that he will run for mayor in next year's polls. He was appointed president of PDP-Laban Cebu City Chapter last February 26.

Rama said the whole Team Rama is in the process of coming up with one mayoralty candidate. He said they will present the whole slate during the filing of the certificate of candidacy in October.

“Secret… But you know, we've been in this process since 2010, 2013, and 2016. Will always has a process and I always believe we must also be sensitive and all of other factors must be considered,” he said.

“As I said, October will be the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy. Barug Team Rama will only field one mayoralty candidate and I am definite about it. May it be Edgar Labella or Mike Rama,” he said.