Tomas’s campaign ploy
-A A +AWednesday, February 27, 2013
POLITICS in our country, in a way, is a miracle. Look at those neglected and damaged roads. They are being repaired as Election Day nears. This is one government act that easily gets the attention of voters.
So every three years, and I can say this without fear of contradiction, roads all over the country get redone or repaired. Actually, even some Cebu roads that do not need repair yet have recently been resurfaced with bitumen.
The only difference under the administration of President Noynoy Aquino is that you don’t see anymore the tarpaulins of public officials posted in the vicinity of every government project that say: “This project is through the efforts of Cong., Gov., or Mayor so and so. ”
This could be the reason elections of national and local officials are held every three years. Otherwise, we won’t see any project being implemented for a long time.
How I wish local elections are done every year.
If that happens, flooding in our place in Hi-way 77, Talamban during every downpour might eventually get the attention of city officials, particularly those seeking re-election. The much-needed drainage system would also be in place already.
Because of the coming May 13 elections, even the stubborn Rep. Tomas Osmeña, who is challenging Mayor Mike Rama for Cebu City mayor, changed his stance to sell the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).
During his time as Cebu City mayor, Congressman Tomas wanted to sell CCMC allegedly because it was performing badly. His solution then was like cutting a man’s neck to cure a severe headache.
But in his campaign sortie, Congressman Tomas promised to no longer pursue his plan to sell CCMC if he gets elected again as mayor. Was the congressman saying that if he is not elected mayor he would sell CCMC? Since he is not a comic, he probably meant what he said.
Tomas is a good party leader. He also campaigned for his candidate for councilor, Cogon Brgy. Capt. Eugenio Gabuya, Jr., whose wife is a physician. If elected, Tomas said would appoint Gabuya’s wife as CCMC administrator.
The campaign ploy of Congressman Tomas not to sell CCMC was an implied admission that under Mayor Rama’s stewardship CCMC has improved. Rama stood pat on his opposition to the sale of CCMC even if Tomas, who was then his boss, insisted on selling the facility.
Could it be said now that Mayor Rama is a better manager of the city’s affairs than Congressman Tomas? It would be silly for Tomas to admit it. This proposition could even get his ire and the ire of his minions.
Tomas must have read Chin-ning Chu’s “Thick Face, Black Heart: The Warrior Philosophy for Conquering the Challenges of Business and Life.” The book argues that to achieve success in one’s professional and personal life, one must "thicken" one's face to create a shield that preserves natural self-esteem, and "blacken" one's heart” (www.goodreads.com).
The 180-degree turnaround of Tomas on CCMC could be understood as an admission that he is lagging behind in the survey in the mayoralty race against the incumbent mayor.
Well, it is still more than two months away before the May 13 polls. As to who will be the next mayor, that will be decided by the more than 500,000 Cebu City voters come Election Day. May the best man win!
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 28, 2013.
Opinion
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