Georgia launches party at Serging statue

CEBU, Philippines - Mayoralty aspirant Georgia Osmeña, sister of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, yesterday officially launched “GO Cebu,” her campaign vehicle for next year’s polls.

Osmeña launched her group at the statue of her father, Sergio “Serging” Osmeña Jr. at the North Reclamation Area. She said she chose to start her political career there because had it not been for her father, she would not have developed love for Cebu.

“Everything started from here, and it started from my dad, so, I just want it to be significant in my life and historic for us that we started here,” Osmeña said.

Called the Father of Modern Cebu, Serging was elected governor of Cebu, mayor of Cebu City, congressman and senator, before he was exiled in the United States from 1972 until he died in 1984.

He envisioned the construction of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, 1st Mactan-Mandaue bridge and the NRA.

Only a little over 20 persons attended yesterday’s launching, but Osmeña said she is optimistic that the group would eventually gain more followers.

The ceremony started with a floral offering to the statue of Serging followed by the releasing of red, yellow and green colored balloons, which Georgia described as a symbol of their hope and dreams for Cebu.

Some barangay officials who attended the launching included Pit-os barangay captain Nilo tariman, Agsungot barangay captain Pastor Alcover III, and former San Jose barangay captain Rodigilio Arinasa.

Also present in the launching were historian Pablo Tinga, Ian Osmeña, Ambrosio Varga, Jose Delgado, and Jose Javier among others.

But the mayor’s sister refused to name her running mate just yet, including her lineup for councilors. She, however, said that she would not field candidates for the two congressional districts in the city, but will put a complete lineup vice mayor to the councilors.

She also confirmed that she has closed the door on the offer of her cousin, former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, to be the latter’s running mate. John has also expressed intention to run for mayor. She said she not convinced with John’s intention to run.

“What is his reason for running if it’s not to serve the city? His intentions are not the same as mine, his intentions are not to address the issues of Cebu City, his intentions are not to serve the city…so I don’t think we’re on the same agenda,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña also disclosed that some national political parties are initiating talks with her, but her priority is to finalize her slate. She said she cannot even promise to support the candidacy of her brother, Cerge Osmeña III, who is eyeing a senatorial seat.

On the other hand, Tomas is very vocal with his support for Cerge and vowed to junk former senator Ralph Recto. Recto is said to be the reason why Cerge bolted from the Liberal Party whom the mayor is the acting chairman in the city.

The mayor reasoned that Recto dropped Joy Augustus Young as Promdi partylist representative in Batangas and got a zero vote.

Along with this, Tomas said he is not bothered by his sister’s new political group and took a potshot on her sister for using the statue of their father as the place to launch her movement.

“Iya nang gigamit akong sakit…karon, iya pa gyong gigamit ang akong amahan. Ambot, musakay lang siya bisan asa, bahala na siya,” Osmeña said. – Elly T. Bolonos/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)