The recent verbal exchange between Cebu City South District Congressman Tommy Osmeña and Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama is quite unusual for me. Though we know that these two leaders from the same group Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) used to disagree on most things, this time its different. Osmeña, the former City Mayor, is now the Congressman and Rama, the former City Vice Mayor, is now the City Mayor. If before, Rama used to remain silent and adjust to the Osmeña way, not anymore.
Osmeña's recent whips to Rama were due to the recent mass oath-taking of the newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay officials, to which the Mayor’s Office also invited opposition stalwarts. Osmeña also said he received no invitation to the oath taking ceremonies.
Osmeña also criticized Rama for supposedly implementing new policies contrary to what BOPK believes in.
Osmeña is BOPK and BOPK is Osmeña. No one can doubt that. With Osmeña’s ability to ensure the success of his endorsed bets, like the landslide victory of BOPK in all public offices last May 2010 elections, anyone can be enticed to join his group and follow everything that he wants just to get the prize even if it means compromising their principles.
Rama on the other hand is considered by some people as weak and more rhetorical compared to Osmeña. Now, Rama is the City Mayor but it’s like no election happened. It’s as if we just elected Rama to the position as a protégé of Osmeña. But now is the time that Rama should prove worthy to our vote of confidence. I can see sincerity in Rama’s eyes but almost everything that he does are sliced and diced by Osmeña. We’ll see if Rama can continue to hold on to his principles, take the punches of Osmeña and hit him back with his performance.
We are aware that Osmeña is not comfortable being a Congressman and the reason why he wanted to be part of the House of Representatives is only to defend the South Road Properties (SRP) from its critics in the national level. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that SRP will surely bring progress and development to Cebu City especially the South District and I have big hopes for it. But with a shallow reason of running for Congressman just to protect it somewhat constitute disservice to the people who entrusted their votes to him who look up to him as a legislator, not an SRP defender.
Rama is now a man of his own. Before, he used to be a “puppet” and follow everything what Osmeña says being his Vice Mayor or back down to his statements once Osmeña criticizes it. Now, it’s time for Rama to prove this wrong. He is a brilliant person and I can’t swallow that he’ll just stay as a servant to someone other than the people who voted for him as City Mayor. Enough is enough. He did what should be done to be where he is now and today, he is on the position that he wants.
Come 2013, alliances will shift. It is expected that Rama will form a new coalition (or shall I say formalize an underground faction inside the BOPK) that would break-away from Osmeña’s BOPK. It’s already between Osmeña’s desire to get back the Mayor’s Office and Rama’s desire to continue his hold on his current public position by getting another fresh mandate from the people.
I would not be surprised if Osmeña and Rama will be competing for the position on Cebu City Mayor come 2013. After all, they are not compatible ever since. It would surely be an epic battle between the grandson of former President Sergio Osmeña and grandson of former Cebu City Mayor Vicente Rama.
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| Then-Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña talking to then-Cebu City Vice Mayor Mike Rama |
Osmeña also criticized Rama for supposedly implementing new policies contrary to what BOPK believes in.
Osmeña is BOPK and BOPK is Osmeña. No one can doubt that. With Osmeña’s ability to ensure the success of his endorsed bets, like the landslide victory of BOPK in all public offices last May 2010 elections, anyone can be enticed to join his group and follow everything that he wants just to get the prize even if it means compromising their principles.
Rama on the other hand is considered by some people as weak and more rhetorical compared to Osmeña. Now, Rama is the City Mayor but it’s like no election happened. It’s as if we just elected Rama to the position as a protégé of Osmeña. But now is the time that Rama should prove worthy to our vote of confidence. I can see sincerity in Rama’s eyes but almost everything that he does are sliced and diced by Osmeña. We’ll see if Rama can continue to hold on to his principles, take the punches of Osmeña and hit him back with his performance.
We are aware that Osmeña is not comfortable being a Congressman and the reason why he wanted to be part of the House of Representatives is only to defend the South Road Properties (SRP) from its critics in the national level. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that SRP will surely bring progress and development to Cebu City especially the South District and I have big hopes for it. But with a shallow reason of running for Congressman just to protect it somewhat constitute disservice to the people who entrusted their votes to him who look up to him as a legislator, not an SRP defender.
Rama is now a man of his own. Before, he used to be a “puppet” and follow everything what Osmeña says being his Vice Mayor or back down to his statements once Osmeña criticizes it. Now, it’s time for Rama to prove this wrong. He is a brilliant person and I can’t swallow that he’ll just stay as a servant to someone other than the people who voted for him as City Mayor. Enough is enough. He did what should be done to be where he is now and today, he is on the position that he wants.
Come 2013, alliances will shift. It is expected that Rama will form a new coalition (or shall I say formalize an underground faction inside the BOPK) that would break-away from Osmeña’s BOPK. It’s already between Osmeña’s desire to get back the Mayor’s Office and Rama’s desire to continue his hold on his current public position by getting another fresh mandate from the people.
I would not be surprised if Osmeña and Rama will be competing for the position on Cebu City Mayor come 2013. After all, they are not compatible ever since. It would surely be an epic battle between the grandson of former President Sergio Osmeña and grandson of former Cebu City Mayor Vicente Rama.
Epic? Lulz.. Do you think that Rama has a better people that will help him during the campaign? Better meaning "the right person/people" who has the experience and without emotional attachment? But I couldnt agree more, this should be Fun 2013 Elections, but not as Epic as you think it will be.
This will be a landslide and a one sided victory, either Tomas or Young or Margot will run against Mike.
-Bogurd-#
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