Wednesday, January 10, 2007 Nalzaro: Why not Lito or Sonny? By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
BROTHERS Lito and Sonny Osmeña have reportedly settled their personal and political differences and have joined forces for the 2007 elections in an attempt to get back control of the Capitol, which is now being held by Gov. Gwen Garcia. We don't know the motive of the Osmeñas, but this is a sign that Lito has cut off all ties with the Garcias.
The Garcia patriarch, former governor Pablo, used to be Lito’s political ally. Pablo's son, now Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Winston Garcia, was Lito’s tactician and campaign manager when he ran for president in 1998. Winston was a Provincial Board member when Lito was governor.
At the height of the conflict between Lito and Sonny, the Garcias sided with Lito. Winston fought whoever crossed Lito’s path.
Instead of Lito lashing back at Sonny, it was Winston who lambasted the former senator. Meanwhile, Noy Pabling was one of the Cebuano congressmen who supported the Fidel Ramos-Lito Osmeña tandem in the 1992 presidential elections. He was one of the originals of Promdi, a political group Lito founded.
So why is Lito and Sonny teaming up? Is it because of Gwen or is it because they are threatened by the Garcias, which have become a formidable political presence in the province?
With only a few months left before the May elections, the brothers are still scouting for a credible candidate to contest Gwen’s reelection bid. Their prospects include Reps. Simeon Kintanar and Antonio Yapha, but both refused to accept the offer apparently because they lack exposure in the province.
So why won’t one of the brothers, preferably Lito, run for governor instead? The older Lito still has an intact political base in the province. All he has to do is to reinvigorate his organization. Some of the mayors who served under his administration more than a decade ago are still in power. This plus the Osmeña name means he still has a chance of getting the support of young and old voters.
Why need a proxy then? Maayo nang naay lig-ong kontra si Gwen aron thrilling gamay ang eleksyon. Lisod nang way kontra kay magsalig.
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Former Cebu City Councilor Vicente Kintanar Jr. has retired from politics after serving the government for some time. While Jun K's political activities were mainly spent in Cebu City where he served as councilor and vice mayor, his heart belongs to his native town.
Though retired, Jun K is still being hounded by politics. This after a newly created group of Argawanons prodded him to run for mayor in Argao. Jun, who is a registered voter in the town, is still weighing his options.
A popular broadcaster during his time, Jun K has a good chance of winning considering that he is Argao’s pride and all of the candidates there are virtual newcomers with the winding out of Mayor Willie Caminero's term. Tan-aw nako morag dili makabalibad si Jun K kun ang haring lungsod na maoy mohangyo.
