A SELF-STYLED “anti-drug crusader,” a suspected drug lord, a former policeman and a man claiming to be a scion of the Osmeña family are among those running for positions in the Cebu City Council.

Banking on his experience in fighting drug activities in the turn of the millennium, 46-year-old James Philip Tionko wishes to continue his fight as a councilor.

Tionko said he was executive officer of Crusada Batok sa Droga and was provincial chairman of the Citizen’s Drug Watch from 1998 to 2001, positions to which he was appointed by the President.

Running as an independent candidate, Tionko, whom President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also appointed as head of the Atlas Commission in 2002, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday. His platform was to provide basic needs of the poor and to make the city drug-free.

Also submitting his COC yesterday was Crisostomo Mabitad, known to authorities at “Tata Negro,” 35-years-old and suspected to be a drug trafficker.

Mabitad did not show up at the Commission on Elections office.

Kevin Villamar filed the COC for Mabitad.

Villamar had a special power of attorney signed by Mabitad that gave him authority to file Mabitad’s COC for a north district seat on the City Council.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who confirmed that Tata Negro was suspected to be involved in illegal drug activities, has the right to run for office, just like everyone else.

Another hopeful for a north district City Council seat was Timoteo Osmeña Oppus.

Oppus, 47, claimed to be a nephew of mayoral aspirant John Henry Osmeña and senatorial aspirant Emilio “Lito” Osmeña. He said his mother is a half-sister of the elder Osmeñas.

Topping off yesterday’s COC filing in Cebu City was 71-year-old Rico Escober Palucto, who is running for the presiding officer’s position of the City Council – the post of vice mayor.

Consistent with this career in the police, Palucto’s platform was the improvement of peace and order of the city.

These four add to four others who have already filed their COCs for Cebu City positions since filing of COCs opened on Nov. 20.

The earliest to file was businessman Crisologo Saavedra, followed by John Henry Osmeña. Both want to be mayor.

Construction worker Juan Arenasa, 59, is running for congressman in the north district, Nestor Legaspi Jr., 68, filed for councilor in the south district.

North District Election Officer Marchel Sarno said that as the deadline for the filing of COCs – Dec. 1 – approached, he expected more aspiring public officials to file, especially those who are members of political parties.