Michael Rama | CDN Picture
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Mike Rama isn’t strolling away simply but.
In his first return to Metropolis Corridor since his defeat within the Could 2025 elections, former Cebu Metropolis mayor Michael Rama on Wednesday, June 11, hinted at a political comeback in 2028. He stated his journey is way from over as he continues to pursue his election protest.
“We are going to, hopefully—we’ll come again,” Rama informed reporters throughout a press convention on the Mayor’s Workplace after making a courtesy name on Performing Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros.
Hontiveros is at the moment serving as performing mayor whereas Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia is on short-term depart to satisfy a previous dedication made throughout his tenure as Vice Mayor and President of the Vice Mayors’ League.
READ:
Mike Rama seeks handbook vote recount after loss to Archival
Mike Rama refuses to concede Cebu Metropolis mayoral defeat
Comelec orders incoming Cebu governor to reply ballot protest
Rama, who was visibly emotional through the go to, stated he requested to briefly return to the mayor’s workplace earlier than his time period formally ends. He was joined by his spouse, Malou, to retrieve a few of his private belongings.
“I requested for the chance, or the prospect, to be right here earlier than my time period ends,” he stated. “Melancholy, however on the similar time emotional, as a result of I entered an workplace [where] wala na man nuon ang mga personal nako nga mga butang for 33 years.”
Regardless of the second’s sentimentality, Rama was fast to make clear that his go to shouldn’t be misinterpreted.
“Unsaon man nila pag-misunderstood nga—kinahanglan ba i-misunderstood nga naa pa man gani koy kuhaon?” he stated. He was referring to non-public objects like a photograph gifted by Vice President Sara Duterte.
Rama revealed that he continues to play an lively position in nationwide politics and the native opposition, significantly by way of Workforce RAMA and his alliance with Vice President Duterte.
“If VP Sara can be very clear that she’s working for presidency, I can be supporting her—being the native president of Workforce RAMA,” Rama stated. “2028—we are going to, hopefully—we’ll come again.”
He additionally reiterated his management position inside the opposition motion all of the extra igniting talks of a Mike Rama comeback in 2028.
“I claimed to be a frontrunner—and that was after the snatching of Digong, the previous president and mayor,” he stated.
Rama continues to contest the end result of the Could 12 mayoral race, the place he completed third behind Mayor-elect Nestor Archival and incumbent Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.
On Could 22, Rama filed a proper protest earlier than the Fee on Elections (Comelec), alleging voting irregularities, technical malfunctions within the automated counting machines (ACMs), and discrepancies between precise votes and printed receipts.
Rama’s authorized group, led by lawyer Collin Rosell, is at the moment dealing with the protest, which he says continues to be in its preliminary levels.
“We’ll have a future press con for that,” Rama stated.
Throughout Wednesday’s go to, Rama was warmly acquired by Hontiveros, who stated he remained loyal to his political mentor.
“Malipayon [ko] kay ganahan man jod ta – adopted son man ta,” stated Hontiveros. “You’ll all the time look out for him in disposition – gwapo man siya.”
Rama, in flip, recalled promising Dondon’s late mother and father that he would take him below his wing.
“Walang iwanan. Matira, matibay. No give up. No retreat,” he stated.
When requested about the way forward for their political partnership, Hontiveros stated they might proceed to seek the advice of with social gathering members.
“We’ll proceed to have our conferences, particularly with our partymates,” he stated.
Hontiveros additionally thanked Rama and their supporters, saying he appreciated their understanding of his personal shortcomings.
“I all the time take a look at it as a chance to develop,” he stated.
Learn Subsequent
Disclaimer: The feedback uploaded on this website don’t essentially symbolize or replicate the views of administration and proprietor of Cebudailynews. We reserve the precise to exclude feedback that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial requirements.
