Debate on Pe continues

CEBU, Philippines - The debate on whether three-term Cebu City North District councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe has exceeded the term limit when he filed for candidacy as a councilor for the South District goes on.

“He (Pe) is not running in the north. He’s running in the south. Because he wants to give other people a chance. He’s a stranger in the south and has never gotten any vote there,” Cebu City South District Congressman Tomas Osmeña told reporters in a press conference at his residence.

The former city mayor urged Team Rama to “look at the other side of the coin.”

“Atong tagaan og konsiderasyon nga si Jun Pe is really respecting the intent of the law to give other people a chance. Beyond that, why should you condemn the man for serving the public?,” Osmeña said.

Reelectionist Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, who is running against Osmeña, hopes the issue on the three-term limit will be resolved to prevent a “mockery of justice.”

“We will pursue and have the matter on the issue of term limit. Even if it reaches the Supreme Court. Because if they will continue to pursue kanang ilahang mga posisyon, it is a showing of persistence on the absence of delicadeza. And that they will only manifest on the word as if they wanted to do binastos sa balaud,” Rama told reporters in a separate press conference at the City Hall.

Despite a favorable ruling by the Comelec First Division on the disqualification case against Pe of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), Team Rama seeks to prove the issue of violation of the three-term limit and does not want to stop at proving the North District councilor’s failure to establish residency at the South District.

“I think the intent of the law is to make sure you are from here. Not like Annabelle Rama who lives in Manila and just gets residence here in Cebu just so she can qualify to run,” Osmeña said, referring to Team Rama’s congressional candidate and talent manager running against BOPK’s former congressman Raul del Mar.

Osmeña reiterated Jun Pe to have lived in Banawa.

Rama insisted on focusing on the issue on Pe and not divert to his cousin Annabelle.

“Why are we skipping the issue? The issue is against Pe and that is very clear. It cannot be equated. They’re talking about one area and another area. I don’t think it is connected, “ Rama replied.  (FREEMAN)