TALENT manager Annabelle Rama and barangay Lahug councilor Mary Ann delos Santos already took their oath before former president Joseph Estrada of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) ahead of the October filing of candidacies.
Delos Santos and Rama, both members of Team Rama, took their oath at Estrada’s Greenhills home in San Juan last Monday.
Rama’s cousin, Mayor Michael Rama, said he will give the Liberal Party (LP) until Friday to respond to his letter.
The mayor said he couldn’t blame his cousin for joining UNA “because LP already has a north district congressional candidate” in either Raul del Mar of Rachel “Cutie” del Mar of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK).
Asked if he too is joining UNA, Mayor Rama said he’s waiting for a reply to the letter he sent to LP national president Mar Roxas asking for his party nomination. Comelec scheduled the filing of certificates of candidacy on Oct. 1 to 5.
“I am giving them until Friday to send their reply. I’m with LP and I cannot ignore my membership,” Rama told Cebu Daily News.
Over at BO-PK, Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said he and some allies prefer the elder del Mar due to his experience.
Cutie del Mar said she and her father already agreed among them who will be seeking election next year. Raul del Mar said a survey ordered by Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district was already unnecessary.
“Our decision is based on six months of consultation and whoever has more time to spend on the district,” she said.
Both del Mars already filled up their certificates of nomination from the LP headquarters last Sept. 18.
For his part, Rep. Osmeña distributed 300 sacks of rice for 24 families in sitios Almain and Alcica of barangay Calamba who were affected by the December 2009 fire.
A streamer which says “Sayong pinaskohan gikan kang Mayor Tom (Early Christmas from Mayor Tom)” hung at the entrance of the Calamba barangay hall where the distribution was made.
Osmeña said the delays in the processing resulted in the belated delivery of the sacks of rice to the victims. He said he doesn’t mind if his critics see the delivery of rice as politically motivated. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac and Correspondent Edison delos Angeles