Kusug aims to fortify vs. BOPK

“We only have one enemy.”

Such was the statement of Cebu City acting Mayor Michael Rama during the relaunching of Kugi Uswag Sugbo (Kusug).

Kusug, a local political party founded by former mayor Alvin Garcia was relaunched on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The day also happened to be Garcia’s birthday.

As Rama spoke during the event, observers believed he was alluding to former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña of Bando Osmeńa Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) as their lone nemesis.

Rama won against Osmeńa in the elections of 2013 but lost his reelection bid to Osmeña in 2016. Osmeña later ran and lost to now mayor Edgardo Labella in the 2019 elections.

Rama called on members of Kusug and other parties like Panaghiusa, Team Rama, Partido Barug, ANAD, and PDP-Laban to sacrifice in order to unite behind a common slate in the 2022 elections. The filing of candidacies begins on Oct. 8.

Oath-taking

The new officials of Kusug are the following: City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia (president), Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo (vice president, north district), Cebu City Legal Officer Rey Gealon (vice president, south district), Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera (secretary general), Mayor Edgardo Labella II (deputy secretary general), Cebu City Councilor Niña Mabatid (auditor), local school board chairman Raddy Diola (treasurer), and former Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman (PRO).

Former mayor Garcia who administered the oath described Kusug as not just a political party but a movement aimed to develop Cebu City.

The ceremony was attended by Kusug leaders from the city’s 80 barangays with some guests wearing a red and white shirt with the name “Raymond Garcia” printed on it. (RHB)