Rama unfazed by allies joining PDP-Laban

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is unfazed over former Congressman Antonio Cuenco’s plan to soon take oath as an officer of the Partido Demoktratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Cuenco is scheduled to take oath as the Regional Officer of the party anytime soon.

But Rama said that Cuenco will still run as congressman of the south district under Team Rama as far as he is concerned.

“What matters is, as of now, we are one in the local,” Rama said.

Rama firmly said he will stick with the Liberal Party as he took his oath as member of the LP.

“I am an LP mayor. I will not leave LP, all the more because I am not asked to leave,” Rama said.

Cuenco’s plan to join PDP-Laban is not surprising, since the latter is an original member of the party, according to the mayor.

“Diha naman sya daan (he’s an original member) so nothing is surprising,” the mayor said.

Councilor Jose Daluz III, who will join Cuenco in the PDP-Laban, said that the move is against the will of Mayor Rama but the latter has to understand that Cuenco has to secure his turf since he is unlikely to be adopted as an LP candidate for congressman in the south district.

Only Cuenco and Daluz in Team Rama will join PDP-Laban.

Daluz, in an interview, said that it will be just like a homecoming because his mother is one of the founders of the group.

Daluz said their full support is still with Team Rama.

Rama and Daluz both said that there might be a coalition later between the two parties in the local level.

“Team Rama can adopt candidates from other parties. That’s possible. We’ll see what happens,” Daluz said.  (FREEMAN)