Between Mike and Tom

I was never really a fan of Mayor Mike Rama. Frankly, I always found his kilometric speeches to be quite an excruciating experience to endure, consistently littered with off-tangent remarks and corny jokes (not to mention his eagerness to ‘burst’ into song, with a minus-one always ready!). I didn’t even vote for him when he ran for mayor for fear he’d be another puppet to his predecessor, Tommy Osmeña.

 But in fairness to him, since assuming the post a year ago, Mayor Mike has surely established his independence from Congressman Tommy. And, he has shown admirable political will in pushing for unpopular decisions.

 Our roads are still the worst I’ve seen in the country—whatever asphalt overlay projects done around the city still make use of the tapal-tapal method, resulting in layer upon layer of asphalt that leave thoroughfares higher than most homes and establishments, causing floods that paralyze traffic during torrential rain. Our tapal-tapal roads also make driving in Cebu City the most bumpy, jarring experience worthy of replacing your sedan with a moon buggy.

 But as opposed to the years when Tommy Osmeña was at the helm of the city’s government, whatever city-sponsored change is now more perceptible. Our streets are better lit, segregation in garbage collection is strictly enforced (basureros have never been this empowered to refuse collection of non-segregated waste), and abusive towing of vehicles has been significantly reduced. He has also been the complete antithesis to his political mentor and padrino, the super populist Osmeña.

 The demolition of illegal structures built by informal settlers in Mahiga creek is yet another proof that Mayor Rama is dead serious in fulfilling his sworn duties as mayor. Osmeña, on the other hand, has always sided with informal settlers, even if their activities have started to affect the safety and wellbeing of other residents (including themselves). In the process, he has effectively made an implicit endorsement of squatting altogether. To me, a good leader must always prioritize promoting and protecting the greater good, over and above the interests of a few, especially if their actions are contrary to law, and no matter the humanitarian justifications given.

 The city has also started working with the province anew, putting an end to the bickering between the two LGUs that hounded us throughout 2006 to 2010, a dispute that can be traced once again to Osmeña’s ultra populist positions and vindictive actions (the latter came to the defense of beleaguered informal settlers occupying province-owned lots Governor Garcia wanted relocated). The animosity paralyzed progress to a considerable extent and filled our newspapers with daily doses of name-calling and negativity.

 Finally, Capitol and City Hall are working together and we can see the instant fruits of the partnership. But Osmeña, the control freak that he is, can’t seem to come to terms with the fact that he has lost control over his protégée who has gone rogue, especially when it comes to dealings with the Capitol. He has since shifted his acerbic verbal arsenal to target Rama instead, resulting in Rama’s departure from his party, Osmeña’s BOPK.

 Because of all these movements and developments, talk is rife that Osmeña is consolidating his political forces against Rama, but what else can you expect from a leader who has been acting like a spoiled brat all these years? For someone who says “I don’t care!” a lot, he does seem to care more than he should. I would wish for him to focus all his energies on being the legislator we elected him to be, and leave the management of the city to Rama. He’s no longer mayor—so puh-lease, get over it! It’s exasperating to be confronted so frequently with negative news on a completely contentious and arrogant personality. Picking fights left and right, he’s such a war monger, and perchance Cebu would be a much better, more peaceful place if he were not in power.

 Like I said, I’m not a Rama fan, but between Mike and Tom, if it’s down to them two in 2013, then Mike is assured of my vote. Indeed, blessed are the peacemakers.

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 Tonight on The Bottomline with Boy Abunda: Miss Philippines- Earth 2011 Athena Imperial candidly shares her thoughts on environmentalism and climate change, pageants and beauty stereotypes, her background in media and her career plans, among others.

 Watch it after Banana Split on ABS-CBN. Encore telecast on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Sunday, 1:00 pm.

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