Sonny, et al. use medical mission vs. poll fraud

CEBU, Philippines -  Former senator John “Sonny” Osmeña and his political allies started what they call the “Alagad Medical Mission” whose ultimate objective is to gather people that would help combat election fraud in the mountain barangays of Toledo City.

Osmeña admitted the mission is a way to strengthen his hold in Toledo City where 33 percent of the total number of votes in the third district would come from. Osmeña is running for representative of the third district in the 2013 elections.

No lecture of sorts on election fraud happened during the medical mission, but Osmeña said the same is a strategic way to attract supporters who would later help prevent fraud from occurring in their respective barangays.

“We have to strengthen our organization here in the mountain barangays to foil any fraud attempt. The medical mission is devised to arouse the awareness of the people to our efforts,” Osmeña said.

Toledo City has 33 barangays, 13 of which are mountain barangays where Osmeña alleged vote buying and fraud occurred.

“If we lost Toledo, we will be very compromised in trying to recover from the adjoining municipalities,” Osmeña added.

Toledo City and the towns of Barili, Aloguinsan, Balamban, Pinamungajan, Asturias and Tuburan compose the third district.

Osmeña said many of those who availed of the services during the medical mission in Barangay Sagay yesterday were Toledo residents that did not get any medical attention from the present administration.

“The former city mayor of Toledo has Imeldific aspiration. She wants to build big edifices as memorials,” Osmeña said, referring to Vice Mayor Arlene Espinoza-Zambo.

Osmeña said he received a report from Rep. Antonio Yapha Jr., his political ally, that their opponents allegedly distributed rice and even organized a variety show just so the people would not attend the medical mission. 

Yesterday’s medical mission gathered around 800 people from barangays Awihao, Bulongan and Sagay, all in Toledo City. They were able to consult with doctors, availed of dental services and minor operation for cyst removal.

The first round of medical mission was held in barangay Bulongan last July 31 with around 500 patients. Those who were not served at that time went to Barangay Sagay yesterday.

Yapha said that the mission has approval from Department of Health using doctors and nurses from the Visayan Community Medical Center where he serves as physician.

Yapha, a former congressman, and Victoria Corominas, a former board member, are eyeing the Provincial Board. — (FREEMAN)