CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama is confident that he will get the support of the Liberal Party (LP) in his intention to seek reelection next year.
This, despite the fact that he was not present in last Saturday‘s gathering with President Benigno Aquino.
“I have no intention to leave LP, and there’s no reason for them to kick me out,” he said.
Aquino was in Danao City to attend the official forging of ties between LP and the Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud).
Rama explained that he did not bother showing up last Saturday because he knows that the President’s schedule was very tight and could not spare time to meet with him.
Also, the event took place in Danao City, which means he does not need to welcome the President.
Aquino went straight to Danao City in a chopper from Mactan Cebu International Airport.
Rama said he is confident the party will pick him over his rival Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña.
“Nganong dili man ako? Wa man ko nakig-away (with other LP members). Wa koy disloyalty. I have never been insecure politically,” Rama told reporters.
Rama’s statement came after it was rumored that Osmeña, who will be running for mayor in the 2013 elections, is working to get LP’s support.
Both Osmeña and Rama were members of the Bando-Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) and ran under LP in the 2010 elections.
But Rama decided to severe his ties with BOPK shortly after his elections when his relationship with Osmeña turned sour. Osmeña then became his number one critic. (FREEMAN)