41 Rama Allies Win Seat in Brgy Polls

Mayor Michael Rama happily announced that 41 of his allied barangay leaders won as barangay captains of the city’s 80 barangays in last Monday’s Barangay Elections, but the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) did not give any importance about it.

The mayor even believed that some other barangay captains who are still allies of the BOPK may transfer their support to his administration. “Dunay uban diha sa mga midaug nga mga harmless kon neutral… dili g’yud diehard sa BOPK,” he said.

Rama, who celebrated his birthday last Monday, considered the barangay elections results as a “wish granted.”

“I’m so happy because it’s over and the elections were orderly and clean. I only wanted a 17 percent win in the south district and a 19 percent win in the north but I was given more,” the mayor said.

But Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, husband of then Congressman Tomas R. Osmeña, downplayed Team Rama’s victory in last Monday’s polls saying, “When the people find out that the city is nearing bankruptcy, one thousand barangay captains can’t save him (Rama).”

Barangay elections are supposed to be non-partisan, as provided for in the Omnibus Election Code, but in reality, those who ran for positions in last Monday’s polls were supported by the two ruling parties in the city.

There are 46 barangays in the city’s north district and 34 in the south district.

The newly-elected allies of Team Rama in the north are Felicisimo Rupinta (Ermita), Elvis Narra (Adlaon), Noli Alcover (Agsungot), Joventino Ardaba (San Jose), Joel Garganera (Tinago), Evelyn Letigio (Zapatera), Wilson Bacor (Binaliw), Reynald Lauron (Cambinocot), Trifonio Lequigan Jr. (Camputhaw), Amelo Lopez (Busay), Ramil Ayuman (Apas), Raquel Avila (Kamagayan), Jovito Taborada Jr. (Lahug), Armando Ermac (Lusaran), Rian Tante (Luz), Leonilo Bontilao (Pit-os), Lidiore Miranda (San Roque), Alan Masecampo ( San Antonio), Eloise Marie Lim (Sta. Cruz), Florentina Malazarte (Taptap) and Majorita Cangmaong (Malubog).

Team Rama allies in the south are George Rama, the mayor’s cousin (Basak San Nicolas), Yolandito Cagang (Basak Pardo), Rosalita Callino (Buot), Maria Yvonne Feliciano (Calamba), Elmer Abella (Duljo Fatima), Lutherlee Ignacio-Soon (Inayawan), Jeffrey Navarro (Kinasang-an), Altea Lim (Poblacion Pardo), Jose Navarro (Punta Princesa), Jerson Cadampog (Pung-ol Sibugay), Prancrasio Esparis (Quiot), Ariel Yburan (Sawang Calero), Joel Sable (Suba), Dante Tabucal (Sudlon I), Ana dela Cerna Tabal (Tagbao), Phillip Zafra, (Tisa), Alejandro Borres (Toong), Ramon Ylaya (Sinsin), Lorna Damalerio (Sapangdaku) and Ronaldo Labitad (Pamutan).

Meanwhile the newly-elected barangay captains that Mayor Rama considers as allies of the BOPK are: South District – Eduardo Cabriana (Bonbon), Gremar Barete (Buhisan), Harry Eran (Cogon Pardo), Julius Guioguio (Abuno-Pasil), Abraham Desamparado (San Nicolas Central), Winefredo Macario (Sudlon II), Lucresia Gabato (Tabunan), Victor Buendia (Labangon), Michael Gacasan (Guadalupe) and Antonio Caruzca (Pahina San Nicolas); North District – Pancho Ramirez (Sto.Niño), Orlan Herrera (Guba), Omar Durano Sr. (Cogon Ramos), Jerome Puerto (Day-as), Zenaida Colina (Bacayan), Nerissa Antolihao (Budla-an), Jose Lim Jr. (Kasambagan), Reynaldo Ompoc (Mabolo), Carlo Yap (Pahina Centra), Jeremias Nuñez (Pari-an), Casimiro Pilones (Paril), Dario Arcilla (Talamban), Manuel Gimeno (T. Padilla), Felix Limotan (Sirao), Jesielou Cadungog (Tejero) and Maria Velasquez (Pulangbato).

Rama said the barangay captains allied with BOPK but are considered “harmless” are: North District – Manuel Guanzon (Capitol Site), Nicolas Leyson Sr. (Banilad), Petronilo Fat Jr. (Hipodromo), Fritzgerald Herrera (Lorega San Miguel), Manny Pepito (Mabini), Carmilo Yap (Kalubihan), Carl Belarmino (Sambag II), Lemar Alcover (Sambag I) and Eduardo Lauron (Carreta); South District – Dolorito Cesar (Babag), Rodrigo Jabellana (Bulacao), Nunilon Monares (Kalunasan), and Wilfredo Go (Mambaling).

The two leading political groups in the city, Team Rama, founded by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, and the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) of former congressman Tomas Osmeña.