Jack mulls Congress bid

Former Cebu City councilor Sylvan Jakosalem is weighing an offer from Mayor Michael Rama to run for  the city’s north congressional district against incumbent Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar.

“I need time to think about it because it’s going to be the biggest major decision I  make if ever I agree,” Jakosalem told Cebu Daily News.

The former councilor chairs the Cebu City Integrated Traffic Operations Management (Citom).

Rama  already has a complete slate in the south district and will support g former congressman Antonio Cuenco.

It only lacks a congressional candidate in the north district.

In a secret balloting made during one of their meetings, Jakosalem and former Lahug barangay captain and now councilor Mary Ann delos Santos emerged the common choice for north district representative, a source told Cebu Daily News.

But the source said Mayor Rama kept the ballot results to himself.

Jakosalem said he voted for delos Santos during  because he felt that she was “highly qualified” for the north district seat.

Jakosalem credited delos Santos, who ran but lost to del Mar in 2010, for making Lahug a progressive barangay.

Still, Jakosalem said friends and barangay officials asked him to accept Rama’s offer.

“But I wanted to first know what are my chances because the del Mars have been there in the north for years,” Jakosalem said.

He said he is also short on funds to launch a congressional campaign.

“But they made it clear in our meetings that whoever will run for whatever position will be given full support by Team Rama,” he said.

Rama said it was still too early for “Team Rama” to reveal  their complete slate.

He said their slate would be known before the filing of Certificates of Candidacies in October. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac