Barug open to ally with national party

CEBU, Philippines — While Partido Barug can stand on its own, it is in talks with a national party to identify with, this according to suspended Mayor Michael “Mike” Rama.

However, Rama has not confirmed whether it is with PDP-Laban of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying everything will be revealed in time.

“Kon kuyog g’yud sila namo, unya kuyog sad mi nila…tan-awn natong katag,” Rama said.

Rama also revealed some names being short-listed for the mid-term elections next year, but it no longer includes vice mayor and currently acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and many of those under their lineup in the last election.

Rama earlier said he has not abandoned them, and that it was them who no longer answered his calls after his preventive suspension. He also thanked the people behind the inception of Partido Barug in 2012, including Atty. Aven Piramide.

Rama added they just had a re-organization, with Atty. Joselito Thomas Baena now serving as the secretary-general of the party.

Meanwhile, Baena said Partido Barug already coordinated with the Commission on Elections on who can sign issue CONAs (Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance) of Partido Barug

“We already started the coordination with the Comelec on the designation of the authorized signatory of Partido Barug who can issue CONAs,” Baena said.

For Partido Barug, Rama is the authorized signatory for the CONA, an important document in the electoral process as it serves as an official nomination from a political party. Without it, one will be considered as an independent candidate.

Those without a CONA may also be considered a nuisance bet. — (FREEMAN)