Sonny bent on retaking 3rd District

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña can no longer stop his estranged cousin, former senator Sonny Osmeña, from running under the Liberal Party (LP) in his bid for congressman of the third district of the Province of Cebu this 2013.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Sonny said he will write in his certificate of candidacy, “original LP.”

Sonny even called the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) of Tomas as “bugok Liberal” when they joined LP in Cebu City in the 2010 elections.

Sonny was a member of LP since he started his political career as councilor of Cebu City in 1963. He joined the Nationalist People’s Coalition in 1992.

He ran as independent in the Senate race in 2004 and joined the Genuine Opposition in 2007 but lost in both Senate races.

Tomas was appointed by LP president Mar Roxas III to be the chairman of the party in Cebu City, of which Sonny complained against, saying he is the most senior party member.

Sonny ran for Cebu City mayor in the 2010 elections despite the request of LP for him not to run. But he lost to the LP official candidate, Mayor Michael Rama.

Now that Sonny is eyeing an elective post in the province, he sees no problem with LP provincial chairman Hilario Davide, III.

“Wa ma’y problema ni Davide, nobody is contesting him,” Sonny said. 

His allies, former third district congressman Antonio Yapha Jr. and former Provincial Board member Victoria Corominas, will also run for PB members.

“In this district, Davide, I think, is showing signs of recognizing us here as the ones who are holding the leadership,” Sonny said.

Sonny hopes that Roxas and Tomas will not meddle the affairs of the LP in the third district.

Sonny and his political allies have now started what they call the “Alagad Medical Mission.” — (FREEMAN)