Nalzaro: Tomas is sourgraping

Friday, February 3, 2012

CEBU City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña expressed disappointment over the treatment by the Liberal Party's national leadership of their political allies in Cebu. He admitted that he is frustrated because the party leadership has no concern for them even if they helped the group in the 2010 elections that was won by President Noynoy Aquino.

Tomas confronted LP national president and Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas about this during his visit here. Sources said that Tomas and Mar had a heated discussion. This was confirmed by Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young. What was not reported was that in one instance Tomas banged the table.

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Tomas was offended when Mar told him that the party is inclined to support Mayor Michael Rama, who has been sworn in as a member of the party and has been attending party's meetings. Tomas is not an LP member.

Osmeña criticized LP leaders for doing nothing for Cebu. He enumerated to Roxas his frustrations, like the party’s refusal to support the flyover projects of former congressman Raul Del Mar.

He asked Roxas why he (Osmeña) and north district Rep. Cutie del Mar were not given committee chairmanships in the House unlike their political rivals in the province, one of whom even got the position of deputy speaker. He was referring to second district Rep. Pablo Garcia, an ally of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

But why should Tomas demand a committee chairmanship when he is a neophyte congressman? Who is he compared with Garcia, who is a veteran and seasoned legislator?

Chairmanship is dependent on the House leadership, not on party affiliation.

To preempt LP's move, Tomas said he might run against an LP-anointed candidate. He said he and his Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) party will have to be self-reliant. He insisted that he does not need the support of a national party. Naa ra man diay na. But I think Tomas is just sourgraping.

If I were Mar, I would do the same to Tomas. As party president, I will support Mike because he is an LP member and is active in the affairs of the party. Why should I support Tomas when he refuses to join the party? He said he does not want to be dictated upon by a national party because his local group can stand on its own. Hala Tomas, soloha na.

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The LP in the province also suffered a major setback after former senator John “Sonny” Osmeña withdrew his support from Hilario “Junjun” Davide III as possible party gubernatorial bet in 2013 elections. Sonny criticized Junjun's weak leadership.

Sonny wants Junjun to be firm and decisive and to draw the line, as there are LP members who are still with the One Cebu party of Gov. Gwen Garcia. Sonny's group is looking for a possible bet for governor. If this happens, the LP will be divided and cannot match One Cebu’s machinery.

I think Sonny is right. The party has to draw the line now. But how can Junjun reorganize and strengthen the party if he has no financial support from the national party leadership? Organizing a party entails a lot of financial resources. Don't tell me that Junjun will spend his hard-earned money for the party.

The LP should settle this conflict so it will be united in the fight against the present Capitol occupant. LP stalwarts can only achieve their goal of capturing Capitol if they are one and united. They should be reminded of the saying, “united we stand, divided we fall.”

(bobby.nalzaro@yahoo.com)