Cuenco upbeat on south district bid

Without giving names, former Cebu City south district representative Antonio Cuenco said yesterday that he expects at least two contenders to challenge his congressional bid.

“Daku kaayo ko ug chance kay naa na man tay napakita (I have a big chance of winning because of my track record),” he said during the 888 Media Forum  yesterday  the Marco Polo Plaza.

Cuenco, who now heads the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, said he enjoys the support of 30 of the 34 barangay captains in the south district.

He said he meets with 10 barangay captains four times a week since he announced his bid.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña, incumbent south district congressman, said earlier he wanted lawyer Aristotle Batuhan and Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa to consult Bando Osmena-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) captains about their interest to run for the seat.  That way, they can decide who among them will run in his stead, Osmeña said.

He said his wife, Councilor Margot Osmeña, remains an option  because of her popularity in the barangays.

Margot remains a strong prospect  as  BO-PKs candidate in the south district, said party sources.

Batuhan may decide to run as an independent candidate while Abellanosa is expected to give way for Margot’s run.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said in a separate interview that “mestizo” voting in the south doesn’t worry him.

Cuenco said some people told him that they would vote for him but would vote for Rep. Osmeña as Cebu City mayor.

Rama, who supports Cuenco’s bid,  said his own lineup is almost complete.

He said  hospital owner Potenciano Larrazabal Jr. may not run under his Liberal Party (LP) wing as north district congressman.

“I don’t think Yong will be part of it (line up) but in due time there is going to be one (a candidate for the north district).  The Larrazabals are always in politics but they also have important things to do,” he said.

Cuenco also questioned “the buy one, take one” slogan of Rep. Osmeña and Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, saying it’s the wrong propaganda because “it is subject to criticism.” Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac