Ex- DOTC undersecretary to run for Cebu City south district post

FORMER transportation undersecretary Artistotle Batuhan yesterday announced his bid to run for Congressional position in Cebu City’s south district in the coming elections.

Batuhan said he was still not bothering himself about which political party he would affiliate himself but he acknowledged the importance of being a member of a political party.

He will be going up against Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa and former congressman Antonio Cuenco.

Abellanosa is the choice of Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) to run for the position. Cuenco, who was Cebu City south district congressmen for three terms, will again run under TEAM Rama.

Batuhan’s bid got an early boost after the Urban Poor Alliance Cebu chapter (UP ALL Cebu) yesterday promised its support to Batuhan.

Rodrigo Buhawe, UP ALL Cebu chairman, said the group already managed to help put two representatives of the urban poor in the Cebu City Council – Councilors Nida Cabrera and Alvin Dizon.

Buhawe said the group had 165 member groups and in the Cebu City south district he’s assured of at least 500 individual members.

Batuhan, said he would push for the creation of a Department of Housing and Urban Development to really focus on the needs of the urban poor.

“The response of government towards urban poor is lacking. A bigger budget should be allocated for the program of urban poor,” Batuhan said.

Batuhan also said he would still consult the women’s, business, and transportation sectors as to what aid he could give.

In Cebu City’s north district, Dr. Marlo Maamo also declared his bid to run for Congress under the PDP Laban during another urban group meeting.

Maamo, who volunteered for the medical health program of Senator Peter Cayetanao, got the support of the Urban Poor Solidarity Federation.

He said he planned to build three hospitals in the north district and address the medical problems of the residents if he would be elected to the position./Correspondent Fe Marie Dumaboc