2 Osmeñas vs. Rama?
By Linette C. Ramos and Rizel S. Adlawan
FORMER senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña announced yesterday he may run for Cebu City mayor, saying that some barangay captains in the city asked him to do so.
Osmeña is set to transfer his voter registration records from Toledo City to Cebu City’s north district office before the deadline on Oct. 31.
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He said he sees an opportunity for public service in the city, especially with regards to the South Road Properties, which he said is the biggest issue the City Government will have to answer for.
Osmeña had served as officer-in-charge of Cebu City Hall in 1986, in the wake of the People Power uprising that installed Corazon Aquino as President.
He admitted one of the things that triggered his plan to run for mayor is the Liberal Party’s and Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan’s (BOPK) decision to field a candidate in the province without consulting the opposition.
Osmeña said he and other leaders of the opposition Panaghiusa party were dismayed because they were not consulted when the LP and BOPK decided to field Councilor Hilario Davide III as provincial chairman of LP and a potential gubernatorial candidate.
He said this went against an unspoken understanding among Cebu’s politicians to respect one another’s territory.
The former senator said, though, that he already met with Davide yesterday and told the lawyer to tell LP and BOPK officials of the Panaghiusa members’ disappointment.
Last night, Osmeña also met with some barangay leaders from the city, who he said asked him to consider running, and to also consider a possible reconciliation with
Mayor Tomas Osmeña, the leader of BOPK and his cousin.
Allies
“Yes, there is a possibility I will run. Naay mga barangay captains na nag-awhag nako and I’m giving it serious consideration to run for mayor... I can’t say what their motive is... pero niingon na sila na ila kuno kong tabangan (but they told me they will help),” he told a radio dyLA interview.
He named Sapangdaku Barangay Captain Henreo Labra as among those who asked him to run.
Other BOPK-allied barangay captains attended last night’s meeting, including those close to city councilors who earlier expressed their dislike for Acting Mayor Michael Rama, BOPK’s standard-bearer.
In his news conference yesterday, Rama said that whether or not Sonny runs for mayor, he will prepare for the May 2010 elections in the same way he has prepared for previous elections.
When sought for comment on the ex-senator’s plans, Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda said: “Sonny Osmeña is a seasoned and astute politician. His reasons must be compelling. One Cebu wishes him luck.”
He urged the former senator to “articulate his position” on such issues as the city’s traffic, the debate on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit versus Light Rail Transit, summary executions, the South Road Properties and the status of provincial properties in the city.
“The sooner, the better for all,” Sepulveda said.
“I don’t pretend to know what is on Sonny Osmeña’s mind. But maybe he figures, he has a better chance of winning in the city,” Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu Province, 3rd district) said in a text message.
Mending
During their meeting yesterday, Sonny said that Davide informed Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of their sentiments, and the senator has decided to send LP officials to Cebu on Oct. 31 to talk to opposition representatives from all the districts.
He said Panaghiusa will come up with a consensus after that meeting whether or not they will support Davide’s candidacy.
Although Davide has already resigned from the City Council so he can focus on campaigning for Aquino and Sen. Mar Roxas, he has not decided and announced yet that he would run for governor against Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
Quiet
“I told Davide na kinahanglan moagi siya sa proseso (he needs to go through the process),” former senator Osmeña said.
“Nahiubos gyud mi kay nakalimtan na man nila ang proseso, wala na man mi konsultaha. Murag giisip na lang mi nila na murag iro na labay-labayan lang, kay sila-sila na man lang nagsabot unya igo na lang sila magpa-press release (We were slighted that they chose to ignore the process and failed to consult us).”
Sonny said he does not agree with the way Tomas has been running City Hall but he has kept quiet out of respect because he knows the city is Tomas’ turf.
“Karon na nawala na ang pagrespetar sa mga teritoryo, no one can inhibit if I want to run... Ang akong interes na mudagan nilutaw na. Dugay na ni pero wala nako tagai ug pagtagad kay nirespetar lagi ta sa teritoryo nila,” Sonny continued.
On Oct. 31, LP’s Butch Abad will meet with Sonny, former congressmen Celestino Martinez Jr., Simeon Kintanar, Antonio Yapha and other opposition allies in other districts.