Guardo to use Tom's health issues vs. him

CEBU, Philippines – Businessman Jonathan Guardo said if Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will run against him as representative of the city’s south congressional district, he will use the mayor’s deteriorating health condition as one of the issues against him.

Guardo said he will explain to the people that the mayor’s deteriorating health after he underwent surgery to remove his cancerous urinary bladder may render him physically unfit for public service as their representative in Congress.

 “Siguro ko nga daghang mga botante nga makahuna-huna ra nga basin ang ilang botos mausik ra unya kon adto sila mobotar ni Tommy,” said Guardo in a telephone interview with The FREEMAN.

Guardo clarified that he has made up his mind to run for representative of the city’s south district, even if some other opposition leaders also look at him as their possible candidate for mayor in Cebu City to challenge Vice Mayor Michael Rama.

Former mayor Alvin Garcia yesterday said the opposition leaders may tap lawyer Aristotle Batuhan, who already ran but lost to city south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco, as the opposition bet for mayor.

“Mahimo usab nga magbaylo sila si Guardo. Mahimo nga si Batuhan ang modagan pagka-congressman sa south district ug si Guardo ang mag-mayor,” said Garcia who added that he has not decided yet whether to run for an elective post in next year’s polls.

Guardo admitted that Osmeña, being the founder of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok-Kauswagan, is a powerful candidate, but Guardo believes his present health will make people reconsider voting for him.

In the city’s north district, Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann delos Santos already announced that she will challenge Rachel “Cutie” del Mar for representative.

“Tan-awon nato og madala ba ni Cutie ang botos sa katawhan para sa iyang amahan,” Delos Santos said.

The last of Rep. Raul del Mar’s three successive terms ends on June next year and he has offered his daughter as his replacement. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (THE FREEMAN)