For the first time after their “word war” due to the failed land swap deal, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Cebu Governor Garcia made “beso-beso” in front of thousands of people who witnessed the Sinulog grand parade at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday.
After the friendly kiss, which they used to do before relations between the city and the province got strained, both officials were seen with Sen. Manual Roxas III.
This happened after Garcia danced with the contingent from Bantayan and she went up the grandstand to join other officials of the government and guests.
Many of those who saw them hoped it was a sign that things between the city and province will soon go back to normal.
Aside from Garcia, Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann delos Santos, whom Osmeña also had a spat with, was also in the grandstand. But unlike Garcia, the barangay captain never had the chance to meet the mayor face-to-face.
In an interview, Osmeña clarified that he has nothing against the governor and his only concern is Provincial Board Ordinance 93-1.
“It’s a small world. They (Garcia and Delos Santos ) come to be part of this (Sinulog). It’s not my city, I’m just the mayor,” Osmeña told reporters.
The mayor admitted that he brought Garcia where Roxas was but they did not talk about anything.
Roxas, who has plans of seeking the presidential post in the 2010 elections, already said he is considering either of Garcia and Osmeña to be his running mate. He also earlier expressed his interest in patching up things between the two officials.
The relationship between the two local officials turned sour early this year, following the failed lot deal that resulted to the Capitol’s threatening to evict the city 5,000 urban poor who are occupying the province-owned lots. — Wenna A. Berondo/BRP