Cebu City mayor quits LP but to remain supportive of Aquino

CEBU CITY Mayor Michael Rama CDN FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama has cut off his ties with the Liberal Party (LP), after the administration party chose his rival over him in the mayoral race.

Rama, however, has committed to remain supportive of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

The mayor was reacting of the INQUIRER.net story that quoted Joey Salgado, spokesman of Vice President Jejomar Binay, as saying Rama would run under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

But Rama told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview that he would run as an independent candidate after LP chose to give the certificate of nomination to his rival, Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.

Cebuanos are looking forward to the showdown of two erstwhile allies – Rama and Osmeña who are both running for mayor in 2013.

Rama was part of Osmeña’s party – Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan – for 19 years until he decided to leave the party in 2010 following a public spat with the party head.

The mayor, however, was just stunned when Osmeña announced that LP had given him a certificate of nomination for mayor in time for the filing of certificate of candidacy on Oct. 1 to 5.

Osmeña also said LP gave him authority to issue a certificate of nomination for the position of vice mayor and councilor.

Ironically, Osmeña is not an LP member although he and the rest of the BOPK campaigned for Aquino and his running mate, Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, in the 2010 presidential polls.

Among the BOPK members, only Rama took his oath before LP. The rest of the BOPK did not in deference of the local party policy to remain independent from any national party.

In an interview on Sunday, Rama declined to confirm or deny Salgado’s statement that he would be running under UNA.

He, however, confirmed Salgado’s statement that he and Binay met on Saturday during the wedding of Ernest Herrera, son of former senator Ernesto Herrera.

He declined to divulge what he and Binay discussed.

Rama explained that he didn’t want to issue a statement about the meeting because he had “no documentation” on hand.

“Kung mao man na ang padulngan nato (If this is where we are heading), I will make an announcement in due time’, Rama said.

He, however, clarified Salgado’s statement that he would remain with LP, saying he had already cut off his ties with the administration party.