BOPK-LP bets snub Candidates Fora 2013

CEBU, Philippines - Candidates of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan-Liberal Party yesterday snubbed the Candidates’ Fora 2013 giving the rival party, Team Rama, the opportunity to hit them.

South district congressional candidate Aristotle Batuhan, member of Team Rama, said it is ironic that the candidates who claim to be liberals have declined an invitation.

“The very men who claim to be liberals all together declined to participate in a forum such as this,” said Batuhan.

Vice mayoral candidate Edgardo Labella said that attending candidates’ forum is part of the candidate’s moral obligation in complying with the mandate on accountability.

Even One Cebu Party gubernatorial candidate Pablo John Garcia, who is an ally of Team Rama in the United Nationalist Alliance, also hit his opponent for not honoring the invitation from the forum organizers.

“I had been wishing of a forum, a debate where the candidates will give their vision for Cebu, but there was none. I am glad for this forum,” said Garcia in his opening statement.

Garcia had been challenging his opponent, Hilario “Junjun” Davide, III, to a debate but the latter refused to take on the challenge. Davide had already attended the forum ahead of Garcia.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who is seeking for reelection brought with him his own power point presentation.

Rama presented how he would continue to make Cebu sustainable and bring all in the state of healthy well-being through his advocacy which is anchored on “Barangayan, Bayanihan, Bolunterismo.”

Labella on the other hand emphasized that “public officials are presumed to be servants.”

In his opening statement he posed the question, “Are we ready public officials to work together?”

Labella vowed to uphold check and balance in the city government; ensure basic services for the poor and like Rama, they are both supporting the Mega Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB).

“LGUs responsibility is to ensure delivery of basic services to the poor but sad to say some of these are not realized because of partisan politics,” Labella said.

Rama also assured the inclusion of the senior citizens in the social services department and at the same time come up with a socialized housing at the macro level.

Batuhan is pushing for the establishment of the Department on Urban Housing and that Cebu City will have the necessary infrastructure and basic services for the next 15 to 20 years.

Congressional candidates in the north district also presented their vision for Cebu. They are Pablo Doronio, Donato Navarro, retired NBI regional director Florencio Villarin, and retired prosecutor Vicente Mañalac. Annabelle Rama did not attend the forum.

Doronio envisions Cebu as the most livable city and for strict implementation of cleanliness; support for the small and micro entrepreneurs and health services for all.

Mañalac also goes for “effective representation” and to push for new law on jury system, scholarship and free education to all high school graduates; and job recruitment agencies in barangay level.

Navarro said he will push for the setting up of sewerage processing plant; Bus Rapid Transit system; universal health care; socialized housing; wider streets and sidewalks but no more skywalks.

Villarin is pushing for the solution of high incidence of drug related crimes; amend qualification requirement of Ombudsman; law on parenting skills and to address corruption and smuggling. (FREEMAN)