Move seen to crack GMA hold on Cebu: Serge O to lead campaign of GO

The Genuine Opposition ( GO ) yesterday announced the appointment of Cebuano senator Sergio " Serge " Osmena III as campaign manager, replacing San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor " JV " Ejercito who is seeking reelection, an ABS-CBN report said.

The report quoted GO spokesman Adel Tamayo as saying Osmena's work experience and qualifications cannot be questioned and that the senator is " really good. "

He, however, said Ejercito will still play a major role in the GO campaign and will lead the group's sorties in Metro Manila.

Osmena's current party affiliation is with the PDP-Laban. He ran and won reelection in 2001 under an administration coalition but has exercised independence in the Senate, with a tendency to go with the opposition.

The Freeman had been unable to get a confirmation from Osmena himself but GMA-7 reported on its website that the senator sent a text message to the station saying " he was now clearing his desk and schedule " in preparation for his responsibilities in the opposition coalition.

Earlier reports said GO was eyeing Ejercito's half-brother, Senator Jose " Jinggoy " Estrada, to replace him as talks swirled that some of the group's senatorial candidates were unhappy with the way JV was handling the group's initial campaign strategy.

Tamano, however, dismissed the rumors, saying that as campaign manager Ejercito was very hardworking.

Osmena, who is expected to take on his new role as campaign strategist of the opposition in two weeks, is a first cousing of John " Sonny " Osmena, who is running for senator under GO.

Having the two Osmenas together in the opposition is seen as a strategy to use the Osmena name in a bid to crack the perceived hold of President Arroyo on vote-rich Cebu, where she won by more than a million votes in the tainted 2004 elections.

Arroyo trounced rival Fernando Poe Jr. resoundingly in Cebu in 2004 because all congressmen in all eight districts in the island, as well as most local officials, were with the administration.

Moreover, even the opposition campaigners at the time admitted they did not have the money and the organization to match the well-oiled machinery of the administration.

Thus, while the election was marred by allegations of fraud elsewhere, the vote in Cebu was largely a reflection of the way Cebuanos perceived the candidates.

With Cebu delivering the winning votes, Arroyo has since adopted Cebu as her favorite province, even breaking tradition by having herself sworn into office here. She is a constant visitor and has poured a lot of favors to the province.

Nevertheless, according to GMA-7, Osmena is confident that the voters will choose more wisely this time.

The opposition is trying to turn the May 2007 midterm election into a referendum on the leadership of Arroyo.

Osmena, who was first elected to the Senate in 1995, has been a forceful advocate for economic and social reforms.

He has worked ceaselessly to enforce transparency and accountability in government agencies and financial institutions and government-owned and controlled corporations.

His legislative inquiries have won him commendation for stemming graft in government. The cancellation of the Marconi radar contract, the Tiwi-Makban power contract and the Piatco contract have been the results of his efforts and that of his colleagues.

He has been acknowledged by Senate observers as one of its most hardworking, most conscientious and well-prepared members. ( From tv reports/JST )