Tomas behind in 5 barangays

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City south district Representative Tomas R. Osmeña yesterday announced that his own survey showed he is behind by reelectionist Mayor Michael Rama in the city’s five urban barangays.

Osmeña said he is behind by Rama in Barangays Lahug, Ermita and Sambag-1 in north district, and in Basak-Pardo and Basak-San Nicolas in the south.

The barangay captains of these five barangays are all allies of Team Rama.

But according to Osmeña, he is ahead in 46 barangays.

 Osmeña’s announcement came after it was revealed in the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)-Team Rama survey that Rama is more popular than him.

Osmeña said two of his candidates for councilor in the south district, including Councilor Augustus Pe Jr., are not strong although he is hoping for changes in the coming months.

He said all Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK) candidates for councilor in north district are all strong.

For vice mayor, Osmeña said reelectionist Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, a BOPK ally, is more popular in the south district than his rival, Councilor Edgardo Labella.

“Lubong kaayo ang kontra ni Young sa south district. Sa north district dunay fight,” Osmeña told the reporters.

But Labella downplayed Osmeña’s statement.

“We’ll it is the exact opposite of the survey of Team Rama. We have very encouraging ratings in the south. It was even beyond my expectation, so to speak,” Labella said.

For his part, Rama said the survey that Osmeña bared yesterday was conducted last year, believing that the figures are no longer the same.

“Layo pa kaayo ang eleksyon. The local campaign has not yet even started,” Rama told reporters of his lead in the UNA survey.

The survey was sponsored by UNA, Rama’s national political party, in June 2012.

Rama, however, said there are a number of surveys that showed the Team Rama is leading.

“According to our own survey, no one from his (Tomas Osmena’s BOPK) will win,” he said.

Unlike Osmeña who disclosed the barangays where he is weak in the surveys, Rama refused to name any weak Team Rama members.

“Ang ato man gud ana kay pila man kabuok barangay nga ang kapitan atoa? Ang youth? Ang mga senior citizen? Things like those,” he said.

Rama then pulled out from his wallet a handwritten list of barangays that reportedly showed support to him.

Rama is confident that his strategy to win the trust of his constituents is working.

“Mao man nay nakapandaug nato. Kung sayop pa ang akong gigamit nga parameters and mga paagi, dili unta ko makadaug as mayor, as presidents of several national leagues like the councilors’ and vice mayors,” the mayor said.  —/LPM (FREEMAN)