‘Walay gihakot’: Barug ‘surprised’ of influx of supporters

CEBU, Philippines — After the two mini rallies last Friday night, the Partido Barug-PDP Laban is now preparing for its miting de avance to let the voters of Cebu City know its slate and platforms.

Edgardo Labella, who is the standard bearer of the group, said they are still finalizing the details of their major rally before the May 13 elections.

Labella said the group did not expect to gather over thousands of supporters in their separate proclamation rallies in barangays Mabolo and Basak San Nicolas.

“Satisfied ta kay wala gyud tay gihakot bisan usa ka sakyanan. We are not expecting that people from the neighboring barangays would just go spontaneously,” he said.

In Mabolo, the group’s north district candidates were proclaimed by Labella and his runningmate Michael Rama.

For the north district, the candidates for councilors are Joel Garganera, Pastor Alcover Jr., Raymond Alvin Garcia, Mabolo Barangay Captain Prisca Niña Mabatid, Cambinocot Barangay Captain Rey Lauron,  former Calape mayor Ernest Herrera, former city councilor Noel Wenceslao, and Apas Barangay Councilor Ramil Ayuman.

Actor and businessman Richard Yap, who is the group’s bet for north district representative candidate, was also present during the opening salvo.

In the gathering, Labella denied allegations of the other group that he is blocking several projects like the sustainable livelihood project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, stressing that a vice mayor cannot stop such project.

Labella also presented some of his platforms like the increase of the financial assistance to the senior citizens and P1,000 each to grade schools for their projects and school project.

He also vowed to fast-track the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center.

Should he win, Labella said, he will have his office at the ground floor of the executive department unlike the current Office of the Mayor on the eighth floor.

“Let us all be vigilant in guarding our votes,” he told supporters.

For the south district, the group’s candidates were presented in Barangay Basak San Nicolas.  The candidates for city councilor are Miguel Erik Espina, Renato Osmeña Jr., Eduardo Rama Jr., professional basketball player Dondon Hontiveros, Tisa Barangay Captain Phillip Zafra, Quiot Barangay Captain Francis Esparis, former congressman Antonio Cuenco, and Gerard Carillo, son of former City Councilor Gerry Carillo.

The group also proclaimed Jocelyn Pesquera as the bet for south district representative.

Rama, in his speech, asked the voters to vote 11-0 in the south and 11-0 in the north districts.

He also asked the voters not to accept money to vote for a candidate.

After his speech, Rama led the voters in saying “Hunong na. Sobra Na. Sibat na Tomas Osmeña.”

Labella is running against Osmeña.

Councilor Jose Daluz III, campaign manager, said the group chose Mabolo and Basak San Nicolas as these are the bailiwicks of Labella and Rama, respectively. —/JMD (FREEMAN)