Tomas likely to bolt LP, hits lack of support for Cebu City

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

“I AM biting my tongue,” was Rep. Tomas Osmeña's (Cebu City, south district) initial statement when asked for updates on his relationship with the Liberal Party (LP).

After a few seconds, though, Osmeña changed his mind and ranted about the party's promise that never materialized.

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Osmeña said that after the elections, LP promised gubernatorial candidate Hilario “Junjun” Davide III, although the latter did not ask for it, P250,000 in projects for Cebu every month.

Davide was appointed LP provincial chairman.

“I have not seen even one centavo from that promise... They don't care,” said Osmeña.

Market funds

Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama also lamented that the only thing he asked from President Benigno Aquino III was funding for the renovation of Carbon Market, which was long overdue.

Aquino merely suggested to Rama to take out a loan.

Unlike Osmeña, Rama said he is not complaining.

“Dili ko mo-complain kay dili man ko mo-undang (I'm not going to complain because I'm not going to stop),” said Rama, who will be persistent in asking for the Carbon Market assistance.

Besides, Rama said, Aquino, the LP chairman, still has four years in office.

Rama, though, would not confirm taking his oath before LP.

Not formal

While Osmeña appears dissatisfied with the Liberal Party, Rama urged his predecessor to make a formal announcement he is bolting from LP.

The congressman earlier said Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) is not beholden to any national party.

“Nabwisit na jud ko (I'm pissed off),” said Osmeña, who has been watching non-LP congressmen getting the deputy speakership, big committee chairmanships and memberships in the commission on appointments.

He said Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Pia Cayetano and Serge Osmeña were able to give projects to Cebu City, but Department of Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, the LP president, gave Cebu “zero” projects.

Osmeña admits Davide does not share his gripes with the LP, and that the former Cebu City councilor is still “hoping” LP will help him in the 2013 gubernatorial race.

But with or without LP, Osmeña made a declaration that Davide will win.

Impressed

“Especially without the backing of LP... LP hardly helped Junjun in the Province and many people didn't move, thinking that there was no chance (in the 2010 elections),” said Osmeña, who was impressed with Davide's performance, lagging behind Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia by 96,000 votes.

Osmeña explained that this may not seem like a close fight but it has to be considered that when Garcia ran for reelection in 2007, she won by 461,000 votes.
In 2013, Davide will not even be running against Garcia.

As to a possible tie-up with Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who admitted getting LP offers, Osmeña said he does not know yet what Davide will decide, but the congressman will support his former councilor, whom he encouraged to run in the Province in 2010.

Osmeña said majority of Garcia's 96,000 margin came from the fifth district, the bailiwick of the Duranos and Magpale.

Magpale said her plans for 2013 would be based on party decision, referring to the Duranos’ Barug Alang sa Kauswagan og Demokrasya.