Tommy O, party mates file COCs

CEBU CITY — The entire city slate of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) party, led by re-electionist Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Vice Mayor Michael Rama, trooped to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office here the other day to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2004 elections.

Earlier in the day, the group attended the ceremonial rites marking the 107th death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

They then proceeded to City Hall to undergo drug tests taken by the staff of the Philippine National Police Regional Crime Laboratory. All tested negative for illegal drugs.

Armed with drug clearances, they then proceeded to the Comelec office to formalize their entry in the local electoral race.

The group was joined by re-electionist Reps. Raul del Mar of the city’s first (north) district and Antonio Cuenco of the second (south) district.

The last day for the filing of COCs is Jan. 5.

Only one BOPK aspirant for the city council, Hilario Davide III, failed to file his COC with the group. A lawyer, Davide had a court hearing at the time and had to file his papers by himself a few minutes before the close of office hours.

Five councilors are running for re-election in the north district, namely Christopher Alix, Manuel Legaspi, Sylvan Jakosalem, Gabriel Leyson and Nestor Archival.

Rounding up the north district slate are Davide and Augustus Pe and Edwin Jagmoc, who both ran in 2001 but lost.

For the south district, three newcomers are in the BOPK slate: Eduardo Rama, Raul Alcoseba and Joey Daluz. They are joining re-electionists Jocelyn Pesquera, Arsenio Pacana, Procopio Fernandez, Rodrigo Abellanosa and Gerardo Carillo.

Incumbent councilor George Rama is not seeking re-election.

Garcia’s Reaction

Former mayor Alvin Garcia, of the rival Kusug party and who is expected to go for a rematch against Osmeña, said he and his slate will be filing their COCs on the last day.

Garcia refused to say who his running mate will be or who will make up his councilors’ slate. Told that the entire BOPK slate had passed the drug tests, Garcia appeared to imply something when he suggested that his rivals should have included members of their families in the tests.

He said he is willing to let his own family undergo such tests if the BOPK does it first.

Garcia, who lost to Osmeña by a close margin in 2001, said he is "100 percent sure" of winning this time.

Osmeña and Garcia used to be friends and founded the BOPK to launch their political careers together in 1988. Osmeña served for two terms as mayor with Garcia as his vice mayor.

In 1995, Osmeña gave up what seemed to be a sure third term in favor of Garcia, who then went on to serve his own two terms.

But sometime during Garcia’s second term, the relationship between the two politicians soured and the ensuing animosity was capped by a shouting match in Garcia’s office in full view of mediamen.

Aside from the BOPK, Osmeña and his slate have also been adopted as the official candidates of the ruling Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats) of President Arroyo.

Garcia is still looking for a national party to latch on to but he is rumored to be eyeing the group backing the presidential bid of action star Fernando Poe Jr. — Freeman News Service