ZAFRA (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) will still survive even if they cannot convince a member from Barug Team Rama to transfer to their party.
On Tuesday, the mayor admitted that they were courting city councilor and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president Philip Zafra to join the BO-PK for next year’s election but the latter declined the offer.
In a press conference yesterday, the mayor said he will survive even if Zafra has declined.
“Thank you. They tried to block so many things. You know I will survive,” the mayor said.
“Anyway, if youre going to ask do I want to exchange positions with them? The answer is no. Mokawat sila og kwarta ako mohatag ko og kwarta. Bisan og wa koy kwarta mangita ko og kwarta para makatilaw ang mga tawo og kwarta (They steal money, I give money. Even if I don’t have money, I will provide and share it with the people),” he added.
Last Monday, posted on his Facebook account that reads, “SIGI MAN GYOD PANGOLITAWO! Unsa man mga TISAONON Sugton or Dili?”“Naay mga (There are) feelers every now and then. Tingali nakita nila nga ang atong paningkamot sa barangay ug ang atong prinsipyo isip sulugoon sa katawhan makatabang sa ilang grupo (Maybe they noticed that our service to the barangay and our principle as servant of the people will help their group). But again, whatever my party affiliation is, my conscience and my directive is always for what is good for the City of Cebu, especially to the people of Tisa,” Zafra told reporters in a phone interview.
“There’s really no chance to shift party affiliation but I would like to assure the mayor and the public that I am here for whatever is good for the city,” Zafra said.
He said regardless of his political affiliation, his duties as a councilor would not be affected and that he is willing to work with anybody in the council.