Annabelle to run for Cebu congresswoman?

CEBU CITY , Philippines – Actress and talent manager Annabelle Rama-Gutierrez transferred her voter’s registration from Quezon City to Barangay Zapatera here on Friday, a move that would qualify her as a candidate for Cebu City north district representative if she accepts the offer of her cousin, Mayor Michael Rama, to run in next year’s polls.

Gutierrez, 60, did not tell any of her children when she flew to Cebu City early Friday because her daughter, actress Ruffa Gutierrez, and other children were not supportive of her entering politics.

She said only her husband, actor Eddie Gutierrez, knew that she flew to Cebu City to transfer her voter’s registration, hence Ruffa was shocked when she learned that her mother was already here when she called her up at around 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Gutierrez laughed when she told Ruffa that she had already transferred her voter’s registration. She said Ruffa questioned her capability to become a legislator, but she said she would just study for this.

Gutierrez said while she was excited about her registering here as a voter, she was still unsure if she would accept the challenge to run against the Del Mars of the Cebu City north district.

She said several of her friends have told her to accept the challenge.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will submit Gutierrez’s application to the Election Registration Board for a hearing in case someone wants to challenge it.

Mayor Rama said his cousin’s move made him happy.  

Meanwhile, Cebu City north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar said she is unfazed by the prospect of Gutierrez challenging her in the 2013 polls.

“We are ready whoever will run against us,” Del Mar said.

She said she is confident voters in the north district will not forget what her family has done for them.

Del Mar’s father, former congressman Raul del Mar, was first elected congressman of the district in 1987 and was re-elected in 1992 and 1995.

Due to term limits, it was his son Dr. Raoul “Rannie” del Mar, who ran and won in 1998, and the elder Del Mar returned in 2001 and served for another three consecutive terms.

After 2010, term limits again forced the elder Del Mar to sit out the elections, so he fielded his daughter.     

But this time, Rep. Del Mar said they have not decided who between her and her father would run in 2013.       

“(There’s) no urgency to decide but for sure one of us will run,” she said. In an interview with ABS-CBN, Sen. Sergio Osmeña III welcomed Gutierrez’s possible entry into the race.

“It will be fun. It’s like having Miriam (Santiago) run there,” said Osmeña, a Cebuano.

“They have very colorful personalities, very outspoken, very beautiful. She has a right to present herself for public office and I wish her well. Sana ituloy niya (I hope she pushes through her bid),” he added.