A former member of the Cebu media who is an incumbent councilor on Thursday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor of this city before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office here.
David Tumulak, a former reporter of ABS-CBN-Cebu and anchor of DyAB radio who is serving as south district member of the Cebu City Council, bolted the administration party Barug of Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama and filed his COC as an independent candidate.
He is currently serving his last term as local legislator.
“I have a CONA (certificate of nomination and acceptance) from a party. But I will not use this CONA to show to the people of Cebu that it’s better to run as independent for the good of the Cebuanos, rich or poor alike, regardless of political color, as I am willing to foster unity,” Tumulak said in Cebuano.
Tumulak is the second mayoralty candidate in this city to file his COC, after Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña filed hers for Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).
Rama, as standard bearer of Barug party, is set to file his certificate on Friday, the last day of filing set by the Comelec En Banc.
Tumulak anchored his platform on peace and order programs, citing his long service in the media industry as well as his exposure to disaster response and rescue operations.
“I will give Cebu City the best alternative for leadership. I know that my opponents come from big political parties and here I come alone without supporters in coming here. The people of Cebu City who are now in their homes want peace for the real progress, and I’m into that,” he told reporters covering the Comelec.
On the other hand, Osmeña, after filing her candidacy, said she is running for mayor carrying the advocacy of “good housekeeping” in governance.
She said her administration, if she gets elected, will also give priority to health, pointing out the need to take care of the well-being of the city residents amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Osmeña, a former banker, served as councilor in 2010 to 2016 but announced her retirement from politics in 2019 to support the mayoralty bid of her husband, then Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
Tomas lost to Labella in 2019 but the latter is currently on leave due to health reasons.
“Why now? Sa akong tan-aw (As I see it) it is the best time for me, that’s it basically,” Osmeña said.
Source: Philippines News Agency