Tommy not keen on backing Tony

CEBU, Philippines - One man seems to stand between Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña and his endorsement of his predecessor Antonio Cuenco in 2013 – Mayor Michael Rama.

Osmeña said that he might not be endorsing Cuenco, who expressed interest to retake his post as congressman of the South District. The reason is that Cuenco was quoted as having said that he owed his victory in 2007 to Rama.

The former congressman denied saying this, but pointed out that Rama had indeed been a great help to his campaign in 2007.

Osmeña said that Cuenco, who is now Secretary General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) based in Jakarta, Indonesia, was quoted in newspaper reports that his victory in 2007 happened because of Rama’s help. 

In the 2007 elections, Cuenco faced Jonathan Guardo in one of the most interesting contests for the congressional post of the South District.

Cuenco said that Rama, who was then vice mayor, served as his campaign manager.

“Dili na tinuod ang report nga miabot kang Tommy (Osmeña) nga gi-attribute nako ni Rama ang akong kadaugan. Dili ikalimod nga si Rama nakatabang gihapon sa akong kadaugan kay siya man ang akong campaign manager, apan ang tinuod nga yawe sa akong kadaugan si Tommy g’yud,” Cuenco said.

Although he is very much eager to once again run for congressman, Cuenco said he will do it only if the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan will endorse him as its official candidate and if Osmeña will not seek reelection.

Cuenco fell from Osmeña’s graces after the October 2007 barangay elections.

Osmeña said that Cuenco abandoned their allies during the elections when he went abroad and Osmeña was left to help them.

This misunderstanding was later settled when Cuenco publicly apologized to Osmeña.

In fact, in the May 2010 elections, Cuenco’s son, Ronald, was part of the slate of the BOPK for the South District. Ronald won a council seat.

Osmeña said he is only one of the officials of BOPK who decide on choosing those to endorse for certain elective positions.

The basis for such, he said, is the sincerity of the person and compliance with the party’s vision.

“My decision on whether or not to run will depend on future selection process, which would include the conduct of survey and consultations with their political leaders,” Osmeña added.

Osmeña, who served as mayor of Cebu City for 16 years – 1988 to 1995 then from 2001 to 2010, refused to divulge his plans for 2013.

He, however, said that those who want to run in 2013 must first convince the barangay leaders of their sincerity.

Several names have been floated as probable candidates for congressman of the South District.

Among them are former councilor Gerardo Carillo, Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, DOTC Undersecretary Aristotle Batuhan, and Renato “JunJun” Osmeña, son of former Vice Mayor Renato V. Osmeña. — /NLQ (FREEMAN)