Margot Osmeña junks endorsement for mayor

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s wife Margot yesterday thanked barangay officials who wanted her to succeed her husband but turned down their request for her to run for mayor.

Margot told The FREEMAN yesterday that she has no plans to run because she believes that Vice Mayor Michael Rama deserves to be the next mayor.

She explained that even if her husband is no longer the mayor, she would still continue to serve the city through her non-government organizations, one of which is the Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation.

Osmeña said he does not want Margot to run for any political posts, specifically for mayor. But he admitted that he cannot stop his wife if she will insist on running.

Osmeña also said that after his term, he would continue to help the city by looking for investors for the 295-hectare South Road Properties and doing other projects for the city.

During the general assembly of barangay captains in the city last Saturday, the mayor announced that he is supporting the bid of Rama for mayor and education consultant Joy Augustus Young for vice mayor.

But some barangay officials are pushing for the tandem of Margot and Young instead.

Osmeña has no plan to stop barangay officials from pushing through with their move to endorse the Margot-Young tandem. But he said it should be Rama who will settle it by talking to the concerned barangay leaders.

There were earlier endorsements for the tandem of city north district Rep. Raul del Mar for mayor and Young for vice mayor.

Osmeña said he already announced his support for Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, who is bidding to succeed his father. But the mayor still has no choice for the south district congressional post.

He explained that if he is to announce his choice for the south district congressional post now, those who are seeking for his endorsement may jump to the opposition camp.

According to him, the best thing to do is to wait for the opposition to first come up with its candidates, hoping that the opposition would not field “recycled candidates.”

Reports said that Councilors Gerardo Carillo and Rodrigo Abellanosa are planning to run for congressman for the south district.

Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde, who resides in Banawa, Guadalupe, is also reported to be running for congressman. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM (THE FREEMAN)