Why I voted for Tomas

A few weeks before the elections, I was pondering on who to vote for the mayor of Cebu City. It was difficult and I had to ponder because both Mike Rama and Tommy Osmeña are qualified for the job. Mayor Mike Rama will do well for the city, so will Tommy.

In the end, I decided to vote for Tommy. Mayor Mike Rama won and the next three years I am still assured that our city will be fine. The reason why I voted for Tommy is because, I feel that, looking back to the years he was mayor, he is a visionary and very capable of implementing his visions for the betterment of our city. He has implemented many projects and measures no mayor before him has done which have benefited and will continue to benefit us in the future. From the traffic system to the required parking areas and, further, to the realization of the South Road Properties and now with the Bus Rapid Transit System. He has the will to get things done.

I am not saying the Mike Rama is less capable. But we have seen what Tomas has done and it is not often that you will have a leader with vision and the will to implement them. Mayor Mike has the opportunity to prove many wrong and lift us to higher grounds and we should all support and pray for his success.

Looking back on the election and trying to analyze why Tomas lost, I am inclined to believe it's because of his arrogance. It did him in. Why? Because if you look at the votes, most of his party's councilors won. I know of so many friends who used to vote for Tomas but opted to vote for Mike and even campaigned against him because they were turned off by his arrogance and wanted him to taste defeat. I am inclined to believe that just like me they too know that Tomas is a very capable leader. It mattered to me that he is arrogant and it mattered very deeply to many. But in finally deciding to vote for him, I shoved it aside reasoning to myself that our paths never crossed and I will not feel his wrath. Far more important for me is his abilities and capabilities to do good for our city.

It is not far fetch that Tomas & Mike will reconcile considering that they came from the same party and that the province is now led by Junjun Davide. When that happens, we will all bask in the developments that will come along the way.

As for Tomas, in defeat, I hope he will rise again and, this time, a humble person just like the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. Because of health issues, he may not be able to serve us anymore. Tomas' legacy is etched in stone and when his time comes he will be assured and comforted that, imperfect as he is and as we are, he will be remembered far more for what good he has done for our city and less for his arrogant character. He will be remembered as one of the best mayors to have served our city.