With Manny Pacquiao as runningmate Georgia Osmeña files COC for mayor

CEBU, Philippines - Georgia Osmeña, the younger sister of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, made true of her promise to run for city mayor in next year’s elections.

Georgia, who heads Go Cebu movement, has finally filed her certificate of candidacy (CoC) yesterday together with two of her candidates for councilor.

Her running mate, Atty. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao had earlier filed his CoC together with some members of Go Cebu who will seek the council seat.

So far, Georgia has two candidates for councilors in the south district in the persons of Jose Delgado and Fe Bilar and four in the north district namely, Ramon Pandaan, Alexander Mancao, Emma Cabrera and Mariter Madrona.

Georgia told City Election Officer Marchel Sarno that she will be fielding a complete lineup for councilors in next year’s polls.

Other candidates of Go Cebu may submit their CoC’s either today or tomorrow which will be the deadline for filing set by Comelec.

If elected, Georgia said she would restore Cebu City to its premiere position as queen city of the south through the better delivery of basic services.

Meanwhile, Kugi Uswag Sugbu (Kusug) has still to choose who among its party members will run for mayor and vice mayor of Cebu City in next year’s election, as the filing of the CoC ends tomorrow.

Kusug chairman, former mayor Alvin Garcia, said that there are three personalities to choose from including Samuel Darza, GSIS president Winston Garcia and himself.

Party leaders will meet today to discuss and decide who among the three probable candidates will be the standard bearer of Kusug.

A reliable source said that there are some hitches to be ironed out today since Darza is identified with presidential aspirant Manny Villar.

On the other hand, Winston has still unfinished business with GSIS and is inclined to support the presidential bet of the administration, Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro.

Given these circumstances, it is more likely that former mayor Garcia, who lost for the mayoral post in 2001 and 2004 elections, would lead again his group. 

However, the source said that Winston has requested for a meeting with Kusug leaders today to reconcile the situation and eventually decide whether to run or not.

While their mayoral and vice mayoral bets are not yet known, some members of Kusug will file their COCs today at the City Comelec office.

This will include congressional aspirants Jonathan Guardo and Mary Ann delos Santos in the south and north districts respectively, together with some candidates for councilor.

Likewise, Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) candidates are also set to file their CoCs today after a 9 a.m. Holy Mass at the Cebu City Legislative Building. Unlike the opposition, BOPK has already a complete slate for 2010 elections.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama is the standard bearer of BOPK in tandem with City Hall Education Consultant Joy Augustus Young for vice mayor.

Leading the north district is Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, daughter of outgoing congressman Raul del Mar, as BOPK’s congressional bet together with Edgardo Labella, Leah Japson and Augustus Pe Jr. as councilors.

To complete the lineup for councilors in the north district are new recruits NGO organizer Alvin Dizon, Talamban barangay captain Alvin Arcilla, Luz barangay captain Nida Cabrera, Pahina Central barangay captain Sisinio Andales and former Sambag 2 barangay captain Noel Wenceslao.

Mayor Osmeña is also the BOPK’s congressional candidate in the south district while his wife, Margot will run for councilor together with Ronald Cuenco, Joey Daluz, Eduardo Rama, Raul Alcoseba, Roberto Cabarrubias, Richard Osmeña, and Rodrigo Abellanosa. – Elly Bolonos/WAB (THE FREEMAN)