'I don't need the P70-M pork barrel'

Tomas Osmeña
BOPK/Liberal Party

What legislation do you want to introduce immediately and why?

Nothing. I don't want to introduce anything immediately. I'll start by listening and understanding what's going on, before I open my mouth.

Do you favor or oppose moves to amend the 1987 Constitution? If yes, which provisions do you think should be amended? If not, why not?

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I'm not in favor of amending the Constitution the way they intend to amend it. I would consider amendments if it's done on an item by item basis. Dili mahimo nga tibuok Constitution imong i-amend (We cannot amend the entire Constitution), take it or leave it, dili ko ganahan ana (I don't approve of that).

Daghan gyud ang angayang i-amend (So many provisions need to be amended). For one, top doctors in the United States who are specializing in cancer are willing to put up a hospital here and practice here, but the local doctors, tungod sa (because of the) Constitution, will say no. Sa akong tan-aw mora'g alkanse ang mga tawo (That places people at a disadvantage), because you can't get the best treatment. You have to go to America like Mayor Osmeña.

How will you apportion your pork barrel?

I don't need a pork barrel. You can have it! You know, the City Government will have P3 billion this year. Kanang pork barrel nga P70 million? Sus, sinsiyo ra na oy (That pork barrel of P70 million a year? That's loose change).

I'm just there to protect the South Road Properties (SRP) because they want to destroy it in Congress. We don't need the pork barrel. You know the pork barrel of a congressman? It's only P70 million a year. You know how much in projects I gave to Inayawan this year? Usa lang ka (Just that one) barangay?

P31 million. With that P70 million, you know, a councilor can put more projects than what a congressman gets.

How prepared are you for the challenges of working in Congress? What traits or habits do you think will help you?

I'm very well prepared. I was elected unanimously as president of all the cities of the Philippines (the League of Cities).

I was also selected as one of the 10 Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines. Even in my first term as mayor, I was the one who represented all the cities in Congress for the preparation of the Local Government Code. I have the credentials and more experience in local government than many mayors combined.

Who are your most trusted advisers?

I will not tell you that because many advisers will not be known as my most trusted advisers and I don't like other people to approach them, or I cannot trust them anymore.

What do you think of the proposal to create a third district? If you favor it, how should the city be divided to create the new district?

We don't need to create a third district. It's a waste of money. We really don't have to. Why? So that we can get a P70-million pork barrel? Why don't you just give P70 million na lang, then you can have your district! We don't need it! Ayaw lang kalimti (Remember), if we form a third district, we have to elect another eight councilors, we have to buy eight more cars for the councilors, we have to hire staff for all eight councilors, we have to expand the legislative building by another one-third. What for? P70 million? Ayaw na lang, oy (Don't bother).

What are the first three bills you will file first, if elected, and why these three?

I'm not going to comment on that until after six months, then I will know what three bills are most important for us.

What is your stand on the reproductive health bill?

I haven't even read it yet, but my overriding principle is that I believe in freedom of religion and freedom of religion includes freedom from religion. So, if the reproductive health bill prevents someone from practicing his religion, I'm against it. At the same time, I don't think it should be used to promote a particular religion.

Please tell us about your leadership style. Who are the leaders you look up to?

There are many. I don't idolize anyone or a particular person; I learned from many leaders. I've been mayor na for the longest time.

Why should voters pick you and not your opponents?

Bilib sila kanako. Mopusta gyud ko, wa ka'y makitang mayor, bisan senador, nga mobutang ug karsada sa dagat, ako ra, pinaagi sa SRP. Unya, unsa'y nahimo ni Guardo? Wala. Ako ra'y nibutang ug highway sa dagat mao nay usa ka rason nga mobutar silang kang Tommy Osmeña, bilib gyud ang mga tawo sa akong talent.

Niminos gyud ang traffic sa south district, unya tagai lang ko ug usa o duha ka semana, maabli na ang tunnel, ay sus, musamot kahapsay ang traffic sa south. Mohilak na sab si Guardo.

(People believe in me. You won't find a mayor or senator who has managed to put a highway where there once was the sea.

I've done that through the South Road Properties. It has eased traffic in the south. After one or two weeks, we will open the tunnel, and that will make the traffic in the south even smoother.)