Tomas: It's final, I'm LP bet

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña yesterday announced formally that he is the official candidate of the Liberal Party for mayor in the Queen City of the South.

During the noontime paid radio program “Tommy Osmeña ug ang Barangay” over DYLA yesterday, Osmeña was asked by the program anchor to confirm reports that he is the LP’s standard bearer for Cebu City on the next year’s elections.

He replied “Yes, I am the official candidate of LP for mayor of Cebu City.”

Osmeña, however, did not say when he received the copy of his certificate of nomination and the authority for him to sign the certificates of nominations of the party’s other candidates for vice mayor and councilors.

The 65-year-old grandson of former President Sergio Osmeña Sr. would challenge the reelection bid of Mayor Michael Rama during the May 13, 2013 local and national elections.

Before Rama decided to quit the Liberal Party last Sunday, the mayor sent letters to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and DILG Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas to give him the certificate of nomination, but this was denied.

The top LP officials decided not to follow the policy of the equity of the incumbent where party members would be declared as the standard bearers if they seek reelection.

Rama and Osmeña were with LP when they ran and won as mayor and congressman, respectively, in the 2010 elections.

In the same radio program yesterday, Osmeña said LP rejected Rama because he is a traitor.

Although Osmeña did not elaborate why he described Rama as a traitor, but in the previous interviews Osmeña criticized Rama for making friends with Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia.

“Kining politika lumalabay lang mao nga dili maayo nga human sa eleksyon anaa gihapon ang pagdumtanay sa mga magkaatbang nga kandidato,” Rama said. (Politics is fleeting so it’s not good to hold grudges.)

Rama, though, stressed that he will continue to support the programs of President Aquino.

- (FREEMAN)