Kaban ni D_BystandeR: MITAPON NA SI MARY ANN SA BOPK???

This will be a long story to tell but whatever it is, it will always make the transfer of Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos to BOPK  a historic one and a blessing in disguise.

Her story confirms her personal well-being as one that was built not just "in a castle of sand," but was built with the tenacity of a fierce lady warrior making an indelible record way back to the time when she was still a USC law student as what my lawyer-son confided to me. They were classmates before and yet despite the number of years that passed, my son, who is now a practicing lawyer for more than 20 years, still gives Mary Ann his high regards, praising her for her "gallantry and unyielding staunch," in making a spirited defense on everything she considers a worthy cause that needs her honest and dedicated support. And she would not easily run from a modest fight, be it big or small, as long as she has already considered and decided  it will promise her the best result to defend it  in the name of honor and dignity. And when Mary Ann was elected to the City Council under Team Rama, she carries out her job with dignity, always considering that public  interest shall always be her guiding principle. And she doesn't care if she loses the trust  and confidence of Mayor Rama as long as she is following on the right tract of public service. She ultimately hit Mayor Rama's displeasure one day when she figured out in a controversial decision as head of the city's bidding committee where she blacklisted a winning bidder based on some grounds wherein the contractor supplied some information she later on found out and discovered as "untrue" when she personally made a trip to Manila to check and verify its veracity. But her efforts, instead of being rewarded by Mayor Rama proved to be the main reason why she had lost her rapport with the mayor because it turned out the winning bidder that she blacklisted happened to be a regular fund contributor in all of the mayor's political campaign.

Mary Ann's decision to shift loyalty and party allegiance to BOPK is a great honor to behold because it closely describes the sterling quality of Mary Ann's public service to be in line with the principle of true public service being promoted and held sacred with honor and dignity by Tommy O, in line with the legacy of honor and dignity handed down to him from his father Serging, the legendary leader and "Nino Bonito" of Cebu and his very famous grandfather Don Sergio, known as the "Grand Old Man of Cebu.

Footnote: This comment came out in connection with a news item in The FREEMAN,  entitled, "Lahug council also 'joins' party: Delos Santos is now BOPK." It came out on August 22, 2015.