Gwen gets Rama, Lahug support for Senate bid

GOV. Gwendolyn Garcia didn’t just gain Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama as an early  supporter for her bid for a Senate seat.

Officials of barangay Lahug visited the Capitol  to cheer her on.

About 40 people clad in green shirts printed “Barangay Lahug Supports Gov. Gwen for Senator”  was led by councilor Mary Ann delos Santos, a longtime ally.

The group included  beneficiaries of the Capitol’s scholarship program, barangay officials, members of a women’s group and sidewalk vendors from Lahug.

Delos Santos said she was  grateful for the governor’s support for projects especially the “prime lot” at the foot of Nivel Hills, which the Capitol sold to Lahug for use as a   satellite market which was  long requested by  sidewalk vendors.

Mayor Rama, who earlier said it would be “treason” for a Cebuano not to support Governor Garcia in the Senate race, said this was his personal choice and didn’t reflect the collective stand of his lineup.

Rama said  the governor’s accomplishments in her three terms qualified her to run for senator.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña earlier criticized the mayor for saying non-support was “treason” and said  the mayor’s logic was “twisted.”

Osmeña said if Rama’s logic were to be followed, Rama himself was a traitor for not supporting the candidacy of  John “Sonny” Osmeña when he ran for the Senate.

Mayor Rama said he would always support the former senator whom he considers a good family friend.

“The last thing that I’ll do is not to vote for Sonny,” the mayor said.

Among the Osmeñas, Rama said it is Sonny, who is closest to him.

The mayor said Congressman Osmeña used to be a political ally while his elder brother and now Sen. Serge Osmeña was “almost a friend” to him.

Rama said former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña was an “acquaintance.”

Congressman  Osmeña said his Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) would be supporting senatorial candidates who’ve been helping Cebu City. With Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos