Thursday, March 08, 2007 Alvin cites advice of family, friends, Serge’s post
HEEDING the advice of friends and his family, former Cebu City mayor Alvin Garcia yesterday announced he is not running in the May 14 elections.
One reason he was dissuaded in taking on Mayor Tomas Osmeña for the third time was the appointment of Tomas’ brother, Sen. Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III, as Genuine Opposition (GO) campaign manager.
“Most of them think that my pursuit of the office under the Genuine Opposition has been placed in serious jeopardy after the appointment of Sen. Serge Osmeña as its campaign manager,” Garcia said.
“Whoever wins the elections, they are still well-entrenched,” Garcia said, referring to the two Osmeñas.
He may have been inclined to run again, but he said he needs the support of his close friends and family.
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Sports patron Jonathan Guardo, in a separate interview, said “all is not lost” with Garcia’s decision.
He said the opposition has eyed two possible candidates in the event that Garcia, and even former first district congressman Jose Gullas, will not run for Cebu City’s top post.
Gullas last month also cited his family and the need to better manage the University of the Visayas as reasons he will not seek any elective office.
In a press statement, Garcia said he will leave it to Serge to choose who will be the GO standard-bearer and official candidates in Cebu City.
But Guardo, who is seeking Cebu City’s south congressional district seat, said he believes Serge will not have the time to do so and will leave it to them to do it.
Challenge
He challenged Serge to endorse all local opposition candidates as a sign that he is indeed with the opposition.
“What I want is for him to go beyond and endorse our local candidates. He should say vote straight all GO senatorial candidates, including those in the local level,” he said.
But if Serge cannot guarantee that he will endorse Guardo and the lineup he is forming, then Serge cannot rely on them to organize a proclamation rally and be on the same stage with him here, Guardo added.
In a radio dyLA interview, Serge said he will not involve himself in Cebu City politics so he will not be accused of favoring his brother.
But he believes Garcia, no matter who will be GO’s campaign manager, will not win against Tomas, like in the 2001 and 2004 elections.
“Well, as far as I’m concerned... mo-resign ko as campaign manager kung molansar siya. Magpustaanay kami kung makadaug ba siya (I will resign if he runs. I’m challenging him to bet on it if he will win),” the senator said.
Tomas also scoffed at Alvin for making Serge an excuse for not running again, and asked that they clash again for the third time.
“The real reason he is not running is that he is going to lose. Wala nay thrilling ba, dagan Alvin palihug lang,” he said.
Despite Garcia’s announcement, Guardo said, they still hope that he will reconsider and change his mind.
“The deadline is still far. Many things can still happen,” he said. (RHM)
