Expect Lito O to campaign with "vengeance"

If only to get vindicated from the rank injustice and irresponsible blunder of the Comelec in originally demeaning former Cebu Governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña as nuisance senatorial candidate, he has to put into shame the Comelec’s vacuity.

Imagine the erstwhile stature of then governor of Cebu, the premier province, who boosted Cebu’s economic “boom”, aptly pigeonholed in history as “Ceboom”, undertook monumental infra projects like the Cebu Trans-Central Highway, then left his seat with billions of savings/income, and later Pres. Fidel V. Ramos’ “czar of flagship projects”.

Moreover, Lito O once had a decent fight as vice-presidential candidate in 1992 and a presidential candidate in 1998. Besides, Lito has been known to be a prime mover of macro-finance and multi-economic development doyen of the country.

Even the famous pedigree alone, as well as his financial standing, the Comelec ought not to have embarrassed Lito O – and the Osmeñas and the Cebuanos – with that indelible tag as a “nuisance” senatorial bet in the May 10, 2010 elections.

It is to the credit of Gov. Lito O that he took in stride Comelec’s inanity, by just calling his reinstatement as “common sense took place in the Comelec”. Such reaction sans any blink of bitterness shows that he possesses unusual statesmanship sobriety even for the wrong done him by a supposedly responsible constitutional body, no less.

But what appears surprising is that he has already spent P500,000 for the LP candidacy of Davide for the Cebu Capitol, and P1M for Noynoy Aquino’s campaign. Why had he not worked it out for his inclusion in the LP’s 12 senatorial slots? Frankly, scanning the LP’s senate wannabes reveal that most of them are not “winnable” and are vote-getting nobodies compared to Lito with national name recall advantage and a fine track public record to boot.

Be that as it stands, perhaps the unexpected insulting slap by Comelec in first rejecting him could be a boon and blessing in disguise, as to generate greater electorate interest that may avalanche into sympathy votes. Who knows?

Lito O’s strategy in concentrating his campaign in the Visayas and Mindanao whose voters are mainly Cebuano/Ilonggo/Waray-speaking in which he must be adept in communication, is a fine plan. However, leaving Luzon and its outlying island provinces where Lito underestimates to get just 1 out of 10, may not be advisable.

To reiterate, the already well-known Osmeña records in Philippine history, starting with the illustrious Don Sergio, followed by the next generations of Osmeñas in government who haven’t sullied their pedigree, and the many political leaders – including in Luzon – who must have had political favors or benefits through the efforts of FVR’s former “czar of flagship projects” may still be beholden to Lito O… With “contributions” to the campaign kitty of the LP – or even to other parties – Lito O’s name could be singled out, with one candidate out of 12 being left out in their slates.

The hitch is that there are two Osmeña senatorial aspirants, Lito O and Serge Osmeña, but a matter they and their leaders have to address. It also doesn’t matter that Mayor Tomas Osmeña will not carry Lito O in his campaign, especially that his brother Serge is also a candidate. Cebuano voters, although many are active partisans, yet they are not such fanatics as to cast their votes like robots. Anyway, both Osmeñas are highly qualified.

But what is momentous for Lito O after his original rebuff from Comelec which he might still be smarting from its sting, is to come around the insult with a “vengeance”. Expect that his campaign would be well-funded, systematically organized and managed, and as exhaustive as ever. Also expect him to cover the length and breadth of the Visayas and Mindanao – as well as Luzon – with almost nook and cranny manned by ward leaders and adequately funded.

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