CEBU CITY–In what appeared to be a show of force, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama filed his certificate of candidacy with his entire slate and around 2,000 supporters at past 10 a.m.
The Pundok Panaghiusa-Team Rama attended an 8 a.m. Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in downtown Cebu City which was jam-packed with his supporters.
Outside the church, motorcycle riders wearing mostly yellow shirts with green markings — political colors of Team Rama– prepared for the parade. The supporters wore shirts of the same color bearing the names of Team Rama and its candidates.
Some held streamers of Team Rama. Other supporters brought yellow balloons.
A multicab was carrying the drum and bugle corps while another loaded the sound system. A fire truck parked near the corner of Burgos and Legazpi Streets.
Traffic flow was disrupted as the stretch of Burgos Street in front of the Cathedral toward corner Osmeña Boulevard, and the whole block of Osmeña Boulevard in front of the Commission on Elections Cebu City office were closed.
When the parade started around 9:30 a.m., vehicles taking Legazpi Street from Plaza Independencia area going to Colon were stopped.
The people were chanting with the words “Team Rama daug Na (Team Rama has already won).”
Mayor Rama, his running mate Vice Mayor Edgar Labella, congressional candidate for north district former mayor Alvin Garcia, congressional candidate for south district Councilor Gerardo Carillo and the total 16 candidates for councilors linked arms, “kapit-bisig’ style, while marching toward the Comelec office.
Rama was pleased with the turnout of supporters for their COC siling. Rama was filed his COC shortly before 11 a.m., following his team mates’ filing of their respective COCs. CDG