Tomas: Mary Ann also has slot in BOPK

CEBU, Philippines - After Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama announced that Councilor Mary Ann De los Santos has a slot in his party for next year’s election, former mayor Tomas Osmeña has also declared that he has saved a space for the councilor in his party.

With this, Delos Santos is now torn between two parties.

“There’s always a space reserved for her (Delos Santos) and there’s a lot of dialogue that’s going on. She has to move in her own place as soon as possible. I’m not her spokesman but her staff was here,” Osmeña told reporters, during his birthday celebration on July 30.

“It is no big deal. We’re just focused on what’s to be done in the city,” said Osmeña, who said that he has yet to finally decide if he will run for mayor against Rama.

Osmeña, founder of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), was defeated by Rama in the 2013 elections. Rama had 217,448 votes over Osmeña’s 211,072.

Rama said that despite the past conflict between him and De los Santos, he said he has never lost trust in her.

“Of course, I have never lost my confidence with Mary Ann and I [am] never going to release Mary Ann, never because Mary Ann joined us and she is a part of the Partido Panaghiusa sa Panerbisyo-Tungod Sa Gugma-Team Rama-United Nationalist Alliance (PPP-TSG-TR-UNA),” Rama stressed.

“I have never released Mary Ann… I will not release [her], lest it will defy my leadership of being a shepherd… You know, I would respect all the time what Mary Ann would tell,” he said.

The mayor also officially announced that he will run again in the next mayoral elections with his running mate, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

Rama further said that he is looking forward to the filing of the certificate of candidacy and wishes that Delos Santos “will be on board.”

“I do not have to make a judgment now because days are so important… until [the filing of candidacy has not yet ended], it’s not yet over,” he said.

After Rama’s announcement of the partial list of his party, De los Santos said she was never informed nor consulted of the move. She also stressed that she wants to maintain her independence by not being affiliated with any party.

 “I have talked to her at the past… I wanted to see her but opportunity may not be available. I did not discuss it (the lineup) yet but I have talked with her and I told Mary Ann, I will always bring you in the team,” Rama said.

Rama’s relationship with De los Santos turned sour after Rama declared a “failure of bidding” in the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center last year. De los Santos was chairwoman of the CCMC ad hoc committee.

“I’ve always been telling Mary Ann that you are always been part of Team Rama. That is why I’m putting Mary Ann as the number one….. There may be hurts and misunderstanding, but I am a leader, I will apologize,” Rama said. — (FREEMAN)