‘City needs technicians, not more lawyers to fix problems’

BOPK PROCLAMATION/OCT. 12, 2015: Msgr. Boy Alesna (center back to camera) and Msgr. Vicente Tupas (left) rector of Chapel of Saint Pedro Calungsod in SRP SM blesses members of the Bando Osmeña Pondok Kauswagon (BOPK) headed by mayoralty candidate Tomas Osmeña (center)before their hundreds of supporter during the thanks giving mass for the proclamation of BOPK complete slate in St. Pedro Calungsod Chapel at the South Road Properties.(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

In presenting his election lineup to the public, former Cebu City mayor and Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) founder Tomas Osmeña said the city needs “technicians”, not lawyers in charge of the local government.

He was drawing a contrast between his running mate Councilor Nestor Archival, an engineer and environment crusader, with his election rival Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

Instead of focusing on laws and the legal bases of government functions, Osmeña said city officials should focus on management and finding solutions to problems.

“There’s a very big contrast between our group and their group (Team Rama). This can be best exemplified by showing Labella and Archival.

“Labella is a lawyer, Archival is a technician. The city does not need lawyers. We need technicians. We need people who can understand the problems,” Osmeña said in a press conference at Harolds Hotel yesterday.

BO-PK candidates celebrated Mass at the San Pedro Calungsod Chapel yesterday morning at the South Road Properties (SRP).

After Mass, Osmeña called each one to the front of the altar, and introduced each candidate to the applause of the crowd, mostly BO-PK supporters dressed in campaign shirts of blue and yellow.

The group later linked hands and raised them together in a gesture of victory.

In the last election in 2013, BO-PK also started their campaign with a Mass in the same chapel, but went downstairs for their political presentation of candidates in an assembly hall.

In his homily yesterday, Msgr. Roberto Alesna reminded the candidates to serve the people.

Osmeña He told the crowd that as a tradition, BO-PK would always start their campaign with a prayer.

He called to the front the candidates starting with Archival and the new faces in their party.

Sentimental value

Rep. Raul Del Mar and Rodrigo Abellanosa of the north and south districts are seeking reelection.

BO-PK’s candidates for north district councilors are incumbents Sisinio Andales, Alvin Dizon, Nida Cabrera, Alvin Arcilla and Mary Ann De Los Santos. They will also field Banilad barangay councilwoman Malou Tabar, Tejero barangay councilman Garry Lao and former Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young. (Young was in Manila.)

In the south district, BO-PK candidates include reelectionist Councilors Margarita Osmeña and Eugenio Gabuya Jr. Former Philippine Basketball Association player Bonel Balingit, Mambaling barangay councilwoman Ann Vestil, Labangon barangay captain Vic Buendia, former City Hall employee Randy Navarro, Danilo Pacaña and Allan “Goliat” Nacorda are also in the lineup.

Osmeña said the Calungsod Chapel had “sentimental value” as it was just a reclaimed area under water when they stood there a few years ago.

He said BO-PK usually starts with a Mass “so it’s not designed for a public display or political move. It’s just a tradition that we should always start with the reflection of what our responsibilities are as we aspire to be public servants,” he said.

Among the new faces are former City Hall employee Randy Navarro who is from Basak San Nicolas and City Councilor Mary Ann De Los Santos who is from Lahug..

In a press statement, Akbayan said BO-PK is “the party that upholds dignity and diversity” and is the “only local political party that allows LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community members” to run under its slate, in reference to Lao./With Correspondent Edison delos Angeles