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Monday, December 08, 2003
Most Cebu solons to back Arroyo: Osmena
By Lizanilla Amarga
SEN. John "Sonny" Osmeņa of Cebu City said President Arroyo is ahead of other presidential wannabes in Cebu province so far even as he scored the Chief Executive on her shortcomings.
In a press conference held here last Friday, the senator said almost all congressmen in the districts of Cebu are gunning for Arroyo to be re-elected next year.
"Cong. Gullas and Kintanar all the others are supporting Pres. Arroyo...she is indeed ahead in Cebu," he said.
But Osmeņa, who is seeking re-election, said he hasn't made up his mind yet on whether he will support Arroyo or any other presidential candidate.
He said Arroyo is good but she is surrounded by people whom he believes aren't concerned of the country's welfare.
"Naa diha sa iyang kabinite si Roilo Golez ug si Joey Lina nga ginatawag gani sa mga tao nga mga sigbin ni Gloria (Roilo Golez and Joey Lina are part of Arroyo's Cabinet, who people call as Gloria's monsters),' he said.
The senator said another "apan" or "minus point" that could bring Arroyo down is the Jose Pidal controversy which makes most senators think twice about the credibility and honesty of the First Couple.
He said Arroyo also lacks "political will" and the ability to be "decisive" when it comes to certain policies and their implementation.
However, Osmeņa said the three other presidential candidates--action star Fernando Poe, Jr., Senator Panfilo Lacson and former Senator Raul Roco-- also have their "minus points."
He said Poe has to make known who are the people behind him.
"Kinahanglan nga ibutyag kini ni Fernando Poe kung kinsay nagpaluyo niya aron mahukman nato siya (Poe has to divulge the names of those backing him up so that we can evaluate and judge him up)," he said.
He challenged Senator Tito Sotto, of the opposition party, to reveal the names of these people saying it's unfair to the people who would vote for Poe to be unaware of this.
Later the senator said Lacson is still new to politics while Roco is dead set in making sure that the rule of "Imperial Manila" continues.
Osmena said his dislike of Roco stemmed from the former senator's opposition to the federal system of government, which to him is the "answer" to empowering other provinces in the country, particularly those in Visayas and Mindanao.
'Bisan ug kumpari kami sa prinsipyo nagbangi kami (Even if we are godfathers to one wedding we differ in principles)," he said.
(December 8, 2003 issue)
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