De Los Santos: I was Officially Invited to Join BOPK

The Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK) has invited Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann De Los Santos to be one of its allies, particularly during the 2016 national and local elections.

Former lawmaker Tomas R. Osmeña and wife City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña personally visited De Los Santos at her house last week where they talked about politics.

“We told Mary Ann that she is welcome to join us. She doesn’t have to be a member because Tommy clarified that there is no oath of allegiance as member of BOPK. Anaa ra kaniya ang pag-decide, but kun mosugot siya, she’s very welcome,” said Margot.

For her part, De Los Santos said “I will confirm that I was officially invited to join BOPK. But beyond that I will not disclose the details.”

This reporter, called up former mayor Osmeña to talk about the issue, but he chose to remain silent about the issue yet. Both Team Rama and BOPK are still finalizing its own political line-up for the next year’s elections.

In 2007, De Los Santos challenged the reelection bid of Osmeña who was then city mayor, who was reelected to the post.

De Los Santos, who used to be a councilor and barangay captain of Lahug for 18 years, was always with the opposition party- Kugi Uswag Sugbo (Kusug) of former mayor Alvin Garcia.

When she filed her certificate of candidacy for city councilor and was elected to the post in 2013 elections, De Los Santos was with and until now an ally of Team Rama, the political group of Mayor Michael Rama.

But, lately De Los Santos and Mayor Rama is no longer in good relationship because of the controversy surrounding the selection of contractor to build the new Cebu City Medical Center building.