No frills filing by BO-PK; Osmeña mulls libel case vs ‘bribe’ expose

Keeping it plain and simple, candidates of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) yesterday afternoon with little fanfare.

But it was serious business after the filing as BO-PK announced plans to sue for libel the housewife who alleged she was offered a P200,000 bribe by barangay T. Padilla captain Michael Rallota to sabotage the candidacy of Marry Ann delos Santos of Team Rama city council.

About 200 to 300 supporters walked to the election office with the candidates after a a 2 p.m. Mass at the Metro Cebu Cathedral celebrated by Msgr. Roberto Alesna.

A drum and bugle corps led the mini-parade.

Later on, supporters went to the Mariner’s Court in pier 1 for a “BO-PK party” where candidates mingled with the crowd.

“I did not mobilize anybody. But I knew some people would show up so we reserved a space (at the Mariner’s Court) said mayoralty candidate Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

Cebu City has four candidates for city mayor – the incumbent Mayor Michael Rama and independent bets Miguel Selion and Lea Remedios Ong.

Tomas’ wife Margot is seeking reelection in the City Council. Their son Miguel and Tomas’ sister Minnie Osmeña Stuart, accompanied the two candidates to the filing. Tomas said that victory in the election is not measured by the number of people who attend the filing of a candidate’s COC.

He said that even the presence of actors and actress in political rallies don’t win votes in Cebu City. He cited the experience of Danding Cojuangco who brought Sharon Cuneta to Cebu to campaign for his presidency. Cojuangco instead lost heavily in the city.

Libel

Meanwhile, Rallota said his lawyers are studying the option of filing a libel suit against Marieta delos Santos, the alleged bribe whistleblower and Lahug councilor Mary Ann delos Santos for maligning his name.

Marieta, with her one-year-old grandson in her arms, was presented the other day in a Team Rama press conference where she related how an intermediary of Rallota brought her to Harold’s Hotel on Oct. 2 and offered here P200,000 to file her COC to sabotage the candidacy of the Lahug councilor who has the same surname.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said BO-PK lawyers were studying the matter “because it tarnished our name.”

Rep. Osmena waved off the bribe account as ridiculous, saying they were not that desperate to field a nuisance candidate.

“This is just another gimmick of theirs.; You have seem their black propaganda. They are willing to do anything,” said Osmena./with Doris C. Bongcac