Team Rama: We didn’t ask Mary Ann to run for city vice mayor

Team Rama’s campaign manager yesterday said  they offered to back  Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos in a run for congress in the north district, not the vice mayorship.

“That (vice mayorship) was not offered to her ever since,” said Jose Daluz III.

“As far as I know, she was interested in the vice mayorship. But in fairness to her, she also didn’t insist. What I can vouch for is that she was offered to be the representative for the north district. She was the obvious choice against (Raul del del Mar),” Daluz said.

READ: Mary Ann joins BO-PK

In yesterday’s 888 News Forum, Daluz discussed de los Santos’ defection last week  to the rival  Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK).

He said  Lahug barangay chairman Jovito Taborada Jr. and most of the  council members switched to BO-PK but that two councilmen remained with Team Rama.

“Without them, there’s a difficulty. But we just have to start working. It doesn’t mean we have to be worried. We just have to work hard and let the people understand that Team Rama should run the next administration,” Daluz said.

Daluz said de los Santos’ had a “dominant” character and denied that she was the victim of bullying or character assasination by  the party, as she alleged.

READ: Mary Ann quits as minority floor leader, hits ‘bullying’

Councilor Hanz Abella said her exit didn’t change the equation in the City Council.

“Before she left, our standing was 9-8,” he said, referring to nine members in BO-PK.

“With her transfer, it’s now 10-7. From the beginning we never really had the majority of the council,” Abella said.