CEBU CITY — Political pot has started to boil here after the vice mayor of this city announced that he is running for mayor in next year’s national and local elections.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama made the announcement on Tuesday or less than a month before the start of the filing of certificate candidacy.
“I am announcing my desire to run as mayor under Partido Barug,” said Rama in a press conference.
Rama is an ally of City Mayor Edgardo Labella.
It remains uncertain if Labella would seek reelection as he has been filing one medical leave after another after he was diagnosed with sepsis or blood infection.
Rama did not disclose who would be his running mate and the composition of his slate, saying discussions among the party members are still in progress.
Rama said that if circumstances will allow, “it will always be my desire” to have Labella has his running mate.
City Councilor Dave Tumulak also expressed willingness to run for a higher position.
“If given the chance, I will run for higher position and if the Cebuanos will allow,” said Tumulak, who is serving his final term as city councilor.
On the other hand, Councilors Philip Zafra and Donaldo ‘Dondon’ Hontiveros have already announced that they will run as independent candidates in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
In explaining their decisions to bolt from the administration party, Zafra said he wanted to focus more on the city’s COVID-19 response while Hontiveros claimed he wanted the group to immediately form their lineup as he is still weighing his options for the 2022 elections.