Annabelle signs up: I’m ready to fight

“I’m ready to fight.”

With these words, talent manager Annabelle Rama signified her willingness to run for Cebu City’s north congressional district under the Team Rama banner of her first cousin, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

With a production assistant in tow and her brother Basak barangay captain George Rama at her side, talent manager Annabelle Rama arrived in Cebu City to register as a voter yesterday morning.

“So far, half of my family is opposed while the other half is excited. I would like to consult with the others first,” she told reporters at the Comelec north district office where she had herphoto and biometrics taken and filled up forms.

The controversial showbiz personality arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) at past 8:30 a.m.

Rep. Rachel del Mar of Cebu City’s north district arrived 30 minutes later and was fetched by her father, former congressman Raul del Mar.

Annabelle and her small group first attended Mass at the Basilica del Sto. Niño before proceeding to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu City north district office before 10 a.m.

In her application form, Annabelle Rama-Gutierrez, indicated her address as #131 Rhaman St., barangay Zapatera, Cebu City.

She said she has an old house owned by her late father and that she visits Cebu City at least once a week.

Election officer Marchel Sarno said the application for new registration, including Annabelle, is subject to a hearing of the Election Registration Board on July 16.

Annabelle later told reporters that “she was ready” to run in 2013.

She said she immediately accepted the invitation of her first cousin, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, to run for the city’s north congressional district, which has been dominated by the Del Mars for over a decade.

Annabelle said she was s excited about the offer but admitted that the entire Rama clan is divided on it.

Her husband, actor Eddie Gutierrez and her son Richard support her while her other children Raymond and Ruffa disapprove.

Annabelle said Raymond and Ruffa are friends with Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar.

She said Ruffa told her that joining politics is “magulo (chaotic)” and even questioned whether Annable was prepared to run.

“What would you do in Congress? You should study law first,” she quoted Ruffa as saying.

Annabelle replied that there were other lawmakers who didn’t finish college.

She told Ruffa that if one was smart, he or she can easily do what members of Congress are doing.

Annabelle, a granddaughter of the late Don Vicente Rama, former mayor of Cebu City and father of the City Charters aid she wanted the support of the entire Rama and Gutierrez family if ever she runs.

She said that whether she runs for Congress or not, the Gutierrez family will fully support Mayor Rama.

“I applied for transfer of registration in case I will run. But it’s still a long way off and I have a lot of time to decide,” she said, referring to the October deadline for filing a certificate of candidacy.

Sarno said applicants only need six months residency to qualify for Comelec registration.

A one-year residency and Comelec registration are required to qualify for running in a local election.

George Rama said Anabelle had always been a Cebu City resident though she spends most of her time in Manila where she does business.

But George said if he were to have it his way, he would prefer that Anabelle run for a Senate seat.

“My advice to her is I don’t want her to run because she’s busy with her business, in showbiz and her family. Her time will be divided when she is in politics,” George said.

George said Annabelle would have to spend P10 million to P15 million for a congressional campaign.

Annabelle asked Cebu City residents to pray for her and help her decide whether or not to run for Congress. “If you want to, I need your prayers,” she said. With Correspondents Edison delos Angeles and Jhunnex Napallacan