The race is on

 CEBU, Philippines - The real battle has just begun as huge crowds dominated yesterday’s filing of certificates of candidacy of the Team Rama and Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan candidates.

While Team Rama of Mayor Michael Rama has more fanfare and lively atmosphere compared to the calm BOPK, both seemed to have same crowd while trooping to the Commission on Elections.

The BOPK candidates, running under the Liberal Party and led by their mayoralty bet, south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña, filed their certificates of candidacy yesterday afternoon after attending a Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Thousands of BOPK supporters mostly wearing the yellow “Type O” shirts came to show their support to the team.

Team Rama

The star-studded Team Rama started with a Mass at the Cathedral early in the morning attended by thousands of its supporters, mostly senior citizens. 

After the Mass, the group marched with celebrities, live bands and mascots to the Comelec offices to file their COCs.

Talent Manager Annabelle Rama-Gutierrez, accompanied by her talents and celebrity children Ruffa Gutierrez, twin brothers Raymond and Richard Gutierrez and Elvis Gutierrez, was the first to file her COC.

She was also accompanied by her husband Eddie Gutierrez and stepsons Tonton Gutierrez and Ramon Christopher “Monching” Gutierrez. Her talents who also came to give their support were the sisters Era and Michelle Madrigal and Arci Muñoz.

Mayor Michael Rama, who is seeking reelection, filed his COC next, followed by Councilor Edgardo Labella, his runningmate.

Former transportation and communications undersecretary Aristotle “Totol” Batuhan filed his COC with his wife and former congressman Antonio “Tony” Cuenco on his side.

To recall, Cuenco withdrew his plan to run for congressman under Team Rama, which led Batuhan to replace him.

The rest of the Team Rama candidates who filed their COCs were Pastor Alcover II, Jerry Guardo, Edwin Jagmoc, Mary Ann delos Santos, Sheldon Vincent “Boobi” Kintanar, Eliodoro Sanchez, Felicisimo “Imuk” Rupinta and CITOM Board Chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, all running for councilors in north district.

Archt. Altea Lim, lawyer and businessman Nendell Hanz Abella, James Cuenco, Lutherlee “Lotlot” Ignacio-Soon, former Councilor Procopio “Coping” Fernandez, Agriculturist Ronaldo Diola, Basak-Pardo Captain and Basak-Pardo Emergency Response (BPER) founder David Tumulak and radio personality Tisha “Inday Tikay” Ylaya filed their COCs as candidates for councilor in the south district.

In a press conference, Rama thanked the elder Cuenco for coming with them to show support despite his condition.

Rama assured that public service will continue to be provided to the public even as they have to start campaigning soon.

“Trabaho, trabaho, menusan and politika,” Rama reiterated.

BOPK squad

Osmeña and his runningmate, Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, presented their COCs to election officer Edwin Cadungog around 3:30 p.m.

The BOPK candidates for councilors of the south district include Margarita Osmeña, Zenaida Amores, Richard Osmeña, Gabriel Leyson, Eugenio Gabuya, Augustus Pe, Gerardo Carillo and Roberto Cabarrubias.

Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, who is on his last term, is the party’s bet for congressman for the south against Batuhan.

Rep. Rachel del Mar opted to give up her post to her father, who is running for congressman of the north district (See separate story on page 4).

The del Mars were joined by BOPK north district candidates for councilors: Sisinio Andales, Maria Nida Cabrera, Alvin Dizon, Lea Japson, Nestor Archival, Noel Wenceslao, Alvin Arcilla and Michael Ralota.

Meanwhile, it will not be a one-on-one battle between Rama and Osmeña for the mayoralty post.

A certain Miguel Selim also filed his COC for mayor yesterday. Last Wednesday, Lea Ong also handed her COC for mayor.

Before the Comelec offices closed, six independent candidates filed their COCs.

Gumersindo Cañete, Ricardo Adlawan, Jose Cane and Samuel Atupan are running for councilors in the south district.

Erlinda Sollano also filed her COC seeking to challenge Abellanosa and Batuhan in the south while former judge Donato Navarro joined the congressional race in the north.

Church’s messages

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said politicians running in the next elections should have their services to the public uninterrupted.

Palma, who already left for Rome for Blessed Pedro Calungsod’s canonization, channeled his message through Msgr. Roberto Alesna, who celebrated Team Rama’s sponsored Mass at the cathedral.

“Arch. Palma is reminding all of you elected leaders to focus on public service even until 2013. Politicians should thrive to leave a legacy of good performance. Politicians should not enrich themselves and not take advantage of the people,” Alesna said, relaying the message of the archbishop in his homily.

Ricardo Cardinal Vidal also reminded candidates not to forget that they were elected to serve the people and that the purpose of election is to serve the common good of the people. — /LPM (FREEMAN)