Espinoza: Tomas no longer unbeatable?

Thursday, December 22, 2011

THE BODY count in the aftermath of the flood brought about by typhoon Sendong and which hit the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in Mindanao can be higher than that of the tragedy that hit Ormoc City years back. Our heartfelt sympathy for the victims.

Finger-pointing and blame-throwing would not put back the lives of the victims or restore their lost or damaged homes. Instead, concerned government agencies should put their acts together and provide assistance to the victims.

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This should serve as a lesson for local government units and national government agencies to prepare every time a typhoon is forecast to hit any part of the country.

What happened in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete showed the lackluster performance of concerned government officials. They ignored the storm warning and underestimated the strength of typhoon Sendong.

People living in riverbanks or near rivers should have been advised to leave their place and stay in shelters that local government provide even if the storm signal is still no. 1. Sadly, this was not done. The people were unprepared.

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In my Dec. 8 column, I asked if anyone can beat Rep. Tomas Osmeña in any political race in Cebu City. In response, a businessman-friend, who wished not to be named, called me up and said Tomas is not unbeatable anymore.

Tongue-tied by his claim, I needed a few minutes to ask him what was his basis for saying so. He said his basis was a survey made by the camp of Osmeña. I told him you must be joking. He was, however, resolute in his claim.

Perhaps if the elections were held today, Mayor Mike Rama would handily win the mayoralty race against Congressman Tomas or any other candidate. But the elections are still more than a year away and many things can happen along the way.

Whether the supposition that Mayor Rama can beat Congressman Tomas in the 2013 mayoralty race is true or not is something we can’t say for sure. Mayor Rama can win if, during the elections, he already has bundles of campaign funds.

Be that as it may, this could be one of the reasons why the city council cut by more than 75 percent the P24 million intelligence budget proposed by Mayor Rama. Cebu City police chief Melvin Buenafe and the city mayor an only grumble at the huge cut.

The city council did not intelligently deliberate on the proposed intelligence fund budget that was recommended by the police coordinating and advisory council, Mayor Rama said.

No matter how Mayor Rama may insult the intelligence of the members of the city council, it still would not change their position, otherwise they would be ostracized by the BOPK Boss, Congressman Tomas.

The intelligence fund, which is not subject to audit, is a lot of money that Mayor Rama can probably play with and dangle to barangay officials he will ask to join his party in the 2013 polls.

Tomas, a seasoned politician, cannot provide his political enemy the much needed funds for the next electoral exercise. He would be committing suicide if Mayor Rama gets hold of huge funds.

With majority city councilors loyal to Congressman Tomas, I seriously doubt if Mayor Rama can get their nod on matters involving huge fund for the executive office.

Tomas’s face is like an ax hanging over the heads of the councilors.

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Even with the tribulations we are currently facing, allow me to greet everyone a happy Christmas.

(elespinoza53@yahoo.com)