Leyson says BOPK to abide by Comelec regulations if...

Like a broken record, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has once again reminded political aspirants to strictly follow the rules during the campaign period, but according to an incumbent city councilor, this might just have to depend on how much their opponents are willing to do the same.

Cebu Councilor Gabriel Leyson of ruling party Bando-Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan said in a forum that BOPK would not hesitate to follow Comelec rules, as long as the party's campaign would not be prejudiced by violations made by their opponents.

The weekly forum, which aims to tackle election-related issues was participated in last week by Comelec Officer Lionel Castillano, who once again called on local political aspirants to observe the regulations most especially in the placement of campaign materials.

With how political campaigns of national aspirants are shaping up, Castillano expects things to worsen once the campaign period for local political candidates will commence next month.

The deadline for the submission of Certificates of Candidacy for local political aspirants is midnight on March 31.

But, when asked if BOPK would strictly follow Comelec regulations in running its campaign, Leyson opted not to give a categorical answer. Instead, he gave an analogy.

"We will not violate until others will not do it," Leyson, said, although clarifying that he was not speaking in behalf of his party, per se. Mayor Tomas Osmeña heads BOPK. All incumbent councilors come from the same political party.

BOPK Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, who was also present in the forum, remained silent.

Leyson also said that while BOPK aims to follow the regulations set by Comelec, the party would not allow itself to be outsmarted by its opponents, especially in terms of putting up campaign materials around the city.

Although majority of the barangay captains in the city have their allegiance to Osmeña, South District congressional hopeful Jonathan Guardo claimed last week there will be an exodus of barangay captains from BOPK to the Genuine Opposition, which he represents.

While he did not name any personalities, Guardo said during the press conference that the long list of councilors would reportedly include barangay captains. He even predicted a landslide victory for their group if issues would be the basis of elections.

And there might be a chance that Osmeña and his councilors would once again run the race against former mayor Alvin Garcia who, until now, has not actually closed his doors to the possibility of going for the mayoralty seat, which he lost in 2001 and failed to wrest in 2004.

Last week, Garcia called a press conference to announce he is not running again for mayor, but said in the same gathering that he is not closing his door to the possibility of running on the 11th hour. Garcia lost in his reelection bid to Osmeña, a former ally, in 2001 and again stumbled in the 2004 polls.

The opposition has considered to include in its slate for councilor lawyers Fritz Quiñanola, Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu, Danny Arguedo, and Aven Piramide; former councilors Carmen Piramide and Danilo Fernan; former professional basketball superstar Ramon Fernandez; barangay captains Manuel Guanzon, Jerry Guardo and Joel Garganera; Art Abregonde; Erlinda Madarang; Laureano Rogero; and Honorato Abella; and Garcia's son Raymund. - Joeberth M. Ocao