Monday, February 05, 2007 Nalzaro: Bad blood between Tomas, Sonny By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
FOR some Cebuanos who know them, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and his cousin, former senator Sonny Osmeña, have one thing in common. They are both arrogant and vindictive. Now, they are about to cross paths again as the May elections approach.
Tomas is seeking reelection while Sonny is preparing for his comeback in the Senate after he lost his bid in 2004, his first election defeat in his more than 40 years in politics.
Tomas belittled Sonny’s re-entry to the political arena, saying the latter will not win in Cebu, let alone in Sonny’s own precinct in Barangay Camputhaw. The hizzoner based his forecast on the results of the 2004 polls where Sonny placed 13th in Cebu City and 12th in Camputhaw.
Sonny, for his part, claimed he placed third. Either way, the results were still a big slap on his face. He was supposed to top the race since he is a Cebuano and running in the administration ticket. He recently admitted that it was a big mistake to join President Arroyo’s lineup.
Well, Sonny only has himself to blame. The Arroyo political machinery was well oiled. In fact, administration candidates got the majority seats in the Senate. Maybe voters rejected Sonny because of his attitude and character while in power. Remember the phrase: “Magpu-asa mo.” Or maybe he was a victim of the “dagdag-bawas” scheme. Pero kinsa man goy wala manikas nila?
Mayor Osmeña has every reason to resent his cousin. As far as he is concerned, Sonny was a major stumbling block to his programs and projects. How many times did Sonny, who was then the chairman of the powerful Senate committee on finance, disapproved or slashed appropriations for Cebu City’s projects? If my memory serves me right, Sonny blocked the request for funding by the City Government that was intended to develop a portion of the South Reclamation Project. Ulbong kaspa ni Tomas ato.
Aside from blocking appropriations, issuing political and policy statements against Tomas, Sonny has always supported the mayor’s political opponents. Unlike other rich and famous families that quarrel over inheritance, Tomas and Sonny’s bad blood is purely political in nature.
Is there a chance of reconciliation? Well, I think there is. As the saying goes, “blood is thicker than water.” Maybe not here on earth but somewhere out there.
