Perfectly fine Mike, Tomas deny cancer allegations

CEBU, Philippines - So who is sick with cancer, Mike or Tommy?

Depending on whose camp is talking, either Cebu City south district Representative Tomas Osmeña’s bladder cancer is back, or Mayor Michael Rama is trying to hide his prostate cancer.

The two denied the rumors.

Regular checkup

During the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan’s (BOPK) block time program aired over dyLA yesterday, Osmeña denied in a phone interview that his cancer is back.

Osmeña said his trip to Houston, Texas is for his regular check-up and not for chemotherapy. Earlier, the congressman explained that his early medical leave was to take advantage of the long break in Congress.

Osmeña’s semi-annual checkup was supposed to be on December yet.

BOPK allies alleged the rumor that Osmeña’s cancer is back came from Team Rama. The rumor also says that Osmeña was admitted at St. Luke’s Hospital for more than a week before he proceeded to Texas.

Osmeña denied all this. He said his health is perfectly fine and that if there is a problem, it is catching up with the schedule of his doctors since his visit for a regular check-up was unscheduled.

He said the latest results of his follow-up medical checkup showed that he is no longer suffering from cancer and he is already prepared to launch a massive political campaign.

The lawmaker said he thought it best to undergo a medical checkup ahead of his December schedule to save on transportation cost because air fares usually go up during Christmas season.

“Desperate na kaayo sila kay ang mga tawo dili man ganahan nga mosuporta nila mao nga mag-ampo na lang sila nga mamatay ko,” the 64-year-old Osmeña said. (In their desperation, they’re now wishing me dead.)

He will be back in the country next week with his wife and son.

‘Prostate cancer’

Rama, for his part, also denied rumors that he has prostate cancer.

BOPK’s block time program handler Nanette Garong reportedly received a call yesterday from someone who said a close associate of the mayor while drunk mentioned to his friends that Rama will be going to Singapore soon to seek treatment for prostate cancer.

BOPK also reportedly has a source, a waiter of a five-star hotel in Lahug, that Rama checked-in several times in the hotel to be checked by his doctor. Rumors said Rama is avoiding the hospital to get away from the media.

Rama just laughed at the report. He said over a phone interview with The FREEMAN that he is perfectly cancer-free.

“I wish some people will be responsible enough, whoever may have authored that kind of serious accusation. I wish people will be circumspect,” Rama said.

“I forgive them. Si San Pedro Calungsod na ang bahala nila,” the mayor added.

Rama also denied that he is scheduled to fly to Singapore anytime soon. He said he had invitations in the past which he even declined.

The FREEMAN tried to verify with the Department of the Interior and Local Government if the mayor filed a leave of absence for a foreign trip, but information is not available until Monday.

Basak San Nicolas Captain George Rama, the mayor’s cousin, said this type of rumor about the mayor is pathetic.

“Dili na tinuod oi. Si Mike mo-check-in og hotel para magpa-checkup? Dili ni siya pareha ni Tomas oi,” George said.

He also denied that Team Rama is spreading rumors about Osmeña’s illness.

“Wala mi manghilabot kung unsa na ang nahitabo niya (Osmeña) sa hospital. Basta nangampanya ra mi’g amo,” the captain said. (We are just campaigning and we don’t really care what’s happening to him right now.)

He, however, admitted that he heard rumor about the return of Osmeña’s cancer. He said they heard the claims from Tomas’ allies.  “Sila-sila ra ang nagpakalat sa ilang sakit,” George said.

Mayor Rama stressed he will never wish his opponents ill because he considers political activities as a friendly exercise.  — /JPM (FREEMAN)