Mayor Rama calls for lineup for 2013 reelection bid

It’s still a year and a half away to election season but this early, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is asking barangay officials to endorse candidates for his lineup.

During yesterday’s barangay assembly held at the  Waterfront Hotel and Casino barangay Lahug, Cebu City, Rama told  barangay officials to each pick one candidate from the north and south for his lineup.

“When political complexities set in, I will have in my own group persons who will be endorsed by the league,” Rama told the assembly. Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district was also in the audience.

Osmeña and city councilors were mostly silent while Rama made the announcement.

The mayor also said he heard news about Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa’s plan to run for Cebu City’s south district in 2013.

Abellanosa made the announcement in his birthday party last Friday, which was also attended by Rep. Osmeña at a vacant lot of Paseo Arcenas in Banawa, Cebu City.

A large stage was built out front with 34 tents lined for each barangay.

Inside each tent contained projectors, a white screen and videoke machines where the barangay officials could sing independently while Abellanosa’s band played at the center.

“As my birthday gift to you, you can bring the videoke machines and the sound system and the projector that goes with it,” Abellanosa announced to the delight of the barangay officials.

Each barangay took home a projector, audio amplifiers with speakers and karaoke machine.

“I would like to announce it as early as now while it is still legal,” Abellanosa told the crowd.

Aside from Osmeña, other officials who attended include Osmeña’s wife Councilor Margot Osmeña, former congressman Raul del Mar, Vice Mayor Joy Young and several councilors.

During the party, Representative  Osmeña said he will leave for the US for a medical checkup on Dec. 8.

“I will be back on Dec. 21 and spend Christmas here in Cebu,” he said.

Dave Tumulak, barangay captain of Basak Pardo, said barangay officials in the Pardo district are endorsing Osmeña’s wife Margot for the city’s south congressional seat.

The former-mayor-turned-congressman declined to elaborate on his plans but said previously that he may run for mayor in 2013 against Mayor Michael Rama.

Abellanosa said he will back Tomas’s mayoral bid.

“It’s too early to say. Many things could still happen and it’s normal that names could float and could bring about discussions,” said Young. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac and Correspondent Edison delos Angeles