WHATEVER BARUG MEMBERS DECIDE
Convinced that a divided house would stand no chance against a formidable foe, members of the United Barug Team Rama (formerly Barug Team Rama–PDP Laban) decided that there must be only one from their group who will challenge Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in the May 2019 elections.
And former Mayor Michael Rama, the acknowledged party leader, said that he is willing to make the supreme sacrifice by sliding down to the vice mayoralty position should the group decide to support Vice Mayor Edgar Labella as the party standard bearer.
“If it’s going to be the wish of Barug Team Rama for Edgar to run as mayor, I, together with the whole team, will support his candidacy absolutely,” said Rama.
“On the other hand, if the dictates of Barug Team Rama supporters is for me to run again as mayor of Cebu City, I will earnestly seek Edgar’s conformity to run again as my vice mayor,” he added.
But during yesterday’s press conference, the group has yet to decide on who will be their standard bearer in next year’s midterm polls.
“The filing of the COC (certificate of candidacy) will be this October. It’s still a long way to go, and we will cross the bridge when we get there,” explained Rama.
In the event that Labella, upon the group’s decision, will run as mayor, Rama said he is willing to accept whatever position they deemed suitable for him.
“I can always be available. Whatever, mayor or congressman, basta it’s a position that will make the group formidable and I will be willing to take that,” said Rama.
Rama and Labella announced last June and March, respectively, that they will be running for mayor next year.
The move gave rise to speculations that the party is headed to a breakup.
But yesterday, both Labella and Rama assured their supporters that Barug is still intact and formidable as ever.
“If it is called for unity I cannot ask for anything more. It is very well said by the mayor that it’s all for one, and one for all,” said Labella.