‘Violated’ party allegiance: Councilman files COC, kicked out from party

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday threw out from his party former Kamputhaw barangay captain Lorenzo Basamot.

This was after the incumbent barangay councilman allegedly “reneged” on their signed agreement not to run if not chosen as among the official candidates of Partido Panaghiusa sa Panerbisyo-Tungod Sa Gugma-Team Rama-United Nationalist Alliance or PPP-TSG-TR-UNA

Basamot was one of those Team Rama identified as possible candidates for north district city councilor but his name was not called when the mayor announced the party’s official lineup in the 2016 elections last October 4.

At 4:11 p.m. last Monday, the first day for the filing of COCs, Basamot submitted his COC on his own without Rama’s knowledge or consent.

“The last minute he was talking and he was telling me, he will not be filing. And now, if he had filed, iyaha ra gyud ng katungod,” Rama said.

“But, of course, Team Rama cannot be recognizing the filing of certificate of candidacy because the north candidates are already been complete,” he said.

Aside from not being considered as a Team Rama candidate, Rama also stripped him of his membership of the party.

“No. When one is coming out and filing (his COC) on his own, then he is doing it on his own and not recognized by the party,” Rama said when asked if Basamot is still a member of his party.

Rama said all Team Rama members have signed allegiance to the party that Basamot should have honored.

“Naa silay gi-sign-an nga if dili sila madala, they will not be running, supposedly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Commission on Elections-North District Election Officer Marchel Sarno said nobody has filed their COCs yesterday, which meant only three so far have officially declared their candidacy.

The three are Basamot; retired court employee Romeo Capangpangan, 68, who is running for south district city councilor; and balut vendor Juan Arenasa, 65, who sought to contest the north district congressional seat.

Sarno urged all aspiring candidates to file their COCs early to avoid hitches.

Rama, though, said his party’s candidates would likely be filing this Friday, the last day, after a mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Rival Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan candidates, meanwhile, would be filing their COCs tomorrow, Thursday. — (FREEMAN)