Osmeña: Baricuatro’s victory mirrors Cebu’s political history

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Vice Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña described the victory of Cebu Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro as a political phenomenon that Cebu has witnessed before.

“This is a phenomenon that has happened before,” Osmeña said in an interview with The Freeman.

Osmeña recalled that during the martial law period under the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., powerful Cebuano politicians were fielded for the interim Batasang Pambansa elections but suffered defeat.

“During the time of martial law, on the interim elections for the Batasan, dictator Marcos (Ferdinand Marcos Sr.) fielded all the powerful politicians of Cebu at that time — Lito Osmeña, Gullas, Garcia, Durano — and they completely lost to a group headed by Natalio ‘Talyux’ Bacalso,” Osmeña said.

Drawing parallels to recent events, Osmeña noted that outgoing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, now aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of Marcos Sr., lost to Baricuatro — a former flight stewardess and political neophyte.

“I know my history. There is something about the Cebuanos that once you reach a certain threshold, no matter how powerful you are... When people do not like you, they just keep quiet and hit back when you are not looking, and that’s what happened,” he added.

“With a Governor (Gwendolyn Garcia) that is so arrogant, thinks she’s the queen — dah!” Osmeña quipped.

Osmeña also praised the political maturity of Cebuano voters, especially in Cebu City.

“A classic example of money versus an idea… And the idea won. I see a higher level of maturity on the part of the Cebuanos… It’s not about me or BOPK… it’s about the people themselves and their political maturity,” he said.

He also expressed joy over the victory of City Councilor Nestor Archival in the mayoral race.

“Yes (very happy)… As a matter of fact, I was not prepared to be vice mayor to a lousy mayor,” Osmeña said, without naming whom he was referring to. Archival ran against incumbent Mayor Raymond Garcia, former mayor Michael Rama, former Customs chief Yogi Ruiz, and Julito Co.

Now that the elections are over and the winners have been proclaimed, Osmeña said they plan to go around to thank their supporters and those who made sacrifices, “no matter how small it is.”

He added that he would also begin reaching out to different sectors, though emphasized he would play a supporting role under Archival’s leadership.

“I’d be working on the side, trying to put our ideas together in parallel to what he (Nestor Archival) is doing,” Osmeña said. – /FPL (FREEMAN)