Alvin hopes opposition camp will win more seats in council

Former mayor Alvin Garcia said there should be "enough" opposition councilors elected into the city council so Cebu City will have real legislators and not just a "rubber stamp" beholden to Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

"Kinahanglan g'yod nga dunay tinuod nga mga konsehal ang dakbayan nga dili kay moyango-yango lang dayon sa mga mando kanila ni Mayor Osmeña," said Garcia, who until now has turned down requests for him to run as mayor for the opposition party.

Garcia criticized the administration councilors saying they always follow what Osmeña wants.

Jonathan Guardo, former chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission, who already signified his intention of running as the opposition's candidate for congressman in the city's south district, wants Garcia to run against Osmeña. But until yesterday, the opposition leaders in Cebu City still failed to convince the former mayor to join the race against Osmeña who has beaten him in the past two elections.

Garcia is planning to convince former city councilor Franklin Seno to run against north district Rep. Raul del Mar.

After Garcia met with some of his political leaders last Friday night, he quickly announced his long list of probable candidates for councilors.

Garcia's probable candidates for councilors in the north district are former city councilors Carmen Piramide and Danilo Fernan, Fritz Quiñanola, Tinago barangay captain Joel Garganera, Sambag 1 barangay captain Jerry Guardo, Sambag 1 barangay councilman Lemar Alcover, Erlinda Madarang, Raymund Garcia, Art Abregonde, Lao Rojero, former basketball star Ramon Fernandez, Yong Larrazabal, Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann delos Santos and Pahina Central barangay Captain Sisinio Andales.

For the south district, the opposition's probable candidates for councilors are former councilors Eugenio Gabuya Jr. and Jose Navarro, Salvador Solima, Honorato Abella and Joy Caballes, Pardo barangay captain Danilo Lim, Ely Go, Tony Luy and a certain Boy Quezon.

Garcia admitted that he has not talked with Fernandez, Larrazabal, Delos Santos and Andales for their possible inclusion in the opposition's ticket.

But Andales, an active supporter of Osmeña, just laughed when he learned that his name was included in the opposition's list.

"Dili ko moipon sa ilang grupo uy," said Andales, one of the lawyers who defended Osmeña when a group of barangay officials filed a recall petition in 2002 to oust him from his position.

Last Friday Osmeña asked Garcia to stop namedropping his probable candidates for the councilors in the forthcoming polls. - Rene U. Borromeo/BRP