Osmeña to face divided opposition in 2019?

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña may have at least two rivals from the opposition as he seeks fresh mandate in the 2019 mid-term elections.

Incumbent Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella claimed yesterday that the majority of the Barug Team Rama PDP officials want him to be the one to challenge Osmeña.

“Incumbent councilors and other elected barangay officials prefer me to run as mayor,” claimed Labella.

But in what may divide the opposition and favor Osmeña’s re-election bid, former mayor Michael Rama stood firm with his pronouncement that he will run for mayor again in 2019.

“I have already made a statement that I’m running for mayor. We will see. The matter will clear (up) in the coming days,” Rama said.

Team Rama, through Labella, allied with the national political party PDP as the vice mayor was appointed as Cebu City chairman.

Osmeña defeated Rama in the 2016 elections. Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan is the local political party organized by the Osmeñas.