AM Garcia open to running for mayor, potential clash with Rama looms

Local

AFTER months of speculation, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has finally admitted that he is open to running for city mayor.

With this, the possibility of Garcia going up against suspended Mayor Michael Rama, his running mate in the 2022 elections, is highly likely.

"Yes, I am open to run as city mayor," Garcia announced during the oath taking ceremony of the officials of local party Kugi Uswag Sugbo (Kusug) on Monday, September 23.

Garcia clarified that the event was not an official declaration of his mayoral candidacy or his slate but a reaffirmation of his partymates' commitment to the party.

"I will announce in a proper time, but you know, running as a mayor is a very difficult position and I will have to consult family members and of course, I will consult our leaders," he said.

Addressing his answer to MyTV Cebu, Garcia said that when the time comes to announce his plans for the upcoming election, he will present a full slate of candidates, including those running for mayor, vice mayor, district representatives, and city councilors.

He also expressed his openness to working with officials from other political groups, hinting at the possibility of selecting a running mate from another party.

"In fact, we are in talks with aligning with other parties in Cebu City," he revealed.

Speculations of a possible team-up between Garcia and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) Board Chairman Joey Daluz, another mayoralty candidate, arose last week after they were seen together at the "Cebu! Now Na!" concert.

When asked about his relationship with suspended Mayor Michael Rama, Garcia said that nothing is final, as he has not officially announced his lineup.

However, he admitted that they are "moving in different directions," adding that there is no formal talks regarding the end of their formed coalition.

"I think everything is very fluid as of this moment," he added.

The two ran together in the last 2022 elections under the coalition of Barug, comprising the parties of Kusug, Team Rama, and Partido Panaghiusa of Daluz.

Garcia has been serving as acting mayor since Rama and seven other City Hall officials were preventively suspended by the Ombudsman on May 8, following complaints from four employees.

During the oathtaking, other Kusug party members who were sworn in included James Anthony Cuenco as Executive Vice President, Joel Garganera as Secretary General, Jaypee Labella as Vice President for North District, Junjun Osmeña as Vice President for South District, Rey Gealon as Treasurer, and Jun Alcover as Public Relations Officer. Guardo, who was absent from the ceremony, is also the party's auditor.

Garcia’s father, former Cebu City mayor and Kusug founder, Alvin Garcia, led the ceremony that was attended by the councilors who ran under the Barug coalition, whose standard-bearer was Rama.(MyTVCebu)