REP. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City, south) yesterday said that if Mayor Tomas Osmeña is indeed running for Congress in the 2010 elections, it would give him a “severe headache.”

He said he will be at a loss whom to support, as it will be now be a choice among Osmeña, opposition leader Jonathan “Atan” Guardo, and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is likewise rumored to be running for south district representative.

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Cuenco is barred from seeking reelection as he is on his third consecutive term.

He said Guardo, whom he defeated in the 2007 elections, has asked for his blessing, but Cuenco said he has not given his commitment to anyone yet.

He said, though, that he is inclined to support Remonde, being the “most qualified” among the three possible candidates.

Remonde has not confirmed if he is running or not, while Osmeña, who has already started visiting the urban poor in the south district, has not given a categorical answer yet.

Osmeña had said only he, his wife Margot and his sister Maria Victoria (Minnie) are the ones who could give Guardo a fight for the seat Cuenco will vacate.

“Mahitabo gani na (that Osmeña will really run instead of retiring), I will have a severe headache because I will be choosing among three candidates…. My preference is
Remonde. He’ll make a better legislator,” the congressman said.

“Guardo is qualified, but I have not decided yet whom to support, considering that there could be other candidates who are better qualified, like Remonde,” he said.

He also said Acting Mayor Michael Rama has his backing despite refusing his offer to replace him in Congress.

Since Rama is bent on becoming mayor, Cuenco said, he will be there for him, but will double that support if the three-term vice mayor decides to jump camp.

Cuenco, Osmeña and Rama are stalwarts of the local administration party Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

But Cuenco had a falling out with Osmeña, who “banished” him from the party. Rama, on the other hand, had been alternately endorsed and criticized by Osmeña.

“I’m still inclined to support Rama. My heart is for him. I’m still supporting him, and labi na gyud og mobuwag siya, doblehon gyud (If he leaves the party, I will double my support for him),” He told reporters yesterday.

Critics allege that the Osmeñas will cling to power and will have Minnie run for mayor, with the BOPK junking Rama in the end.

Osmeña had said Rama will be given a chance despite at least two petitions by barangay captains asking for other persons as BOPK’s candidate for mayor.

One manifesto asked for Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north), who is also on his last term, as the candidate for mayor, with Osmeña as runningmate.

Another petition suggested Margot for mayor and education consultant Joy Augustus Young for vice mayor.