The results of the elections in Cebu City, in which Mayor Michael Rama got re-elected convincingly against comebacking former mayor Tomas Osmeña, should send a very clear signal to the city council.
And the signal is that Rama gets to stay in office on the strength of a fresh and real mandate from Cebuanos, and not just on account of having been able to hang on to the coattails of Osmeña, which is how Osmeña's allies in the council seem to see things.
Rama used to be Osmeña's vice mayor, back when they were allies. In 2010, when term limits forced Osmeña to seek election as a congressman, Rama moved up to seek the mayorship and won it, fairly or unfairly, with the support and blessings of Osmeña.
But when Osmeña and Rama broke up, the city council dominated by Osmeña's allies started making things difficult for Rama. It sabotaged every initiative of Rama, effectively stunting whatever growth and development the city might have seen in favor of petty political interests.
Yet, ridiculous as it may seem, the city council at the time can be justified in feeling antagonistic toward Rama. They viewed Rama as an ingrate and disloyal person, one who bit the hand of the master that fed them all.
But a new election had just taken place. Rama no longer ran under Osmeña's banner but under his own. And he trounded Osmeña at the polls. Not only that, he brought in some of his own councilors who, while not as many as Osmeña's allies, can help Rama's legislative agenda.
It is time Osmeña's allies in the council grow out of their subservient shells and start acting like the mature individuals that voters think they are. It is time they understand the fact that while they may not like Rama, they have to understand that he is there on a mandate.
And that mandate, freshly given only last May 13, is very loud and clear -- the Cebuanos have spoken. And in words that only fools do not understand, the Cebuanos said Rama is their mayor. And if the councilors chose to quarrel with that then they have a quarrel with the people.