Saturday, June 16, 2007 Nalzaro: Thank you, Mayor Tom By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
AFTER he was bombarded with criticisms, Mayor Tomas Osmeña finally reconsidered his decision to scrap the construction of a 4-story 20-classroom building at the Lahug Elementary School. The mayor has in fact ordered the winning contractor to go on with the project. Good.
Tomas said he changed his mind because of pressures from the school children and residents of Lahug. But what about the adverse public opinion, mayor?
Anyway, I know that because of pride you won’t admit that public opinion contributed to your turnaround. Still, I will express my gratitude to you.
Needless to say, I can now say you are one mayor who also considers the future and welfare of the children. So whatever negative reactions and commentaries the controversy sparked should be buried and left behind. Let bygones be bygones.
You and Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos, together with your other political opponents, should unite for the progress of Lahug in particular and Cebu City in general.
Mayor Tom, always remember that life is short and that you should be ready to face your Creator anytime. But before that will happen, you should leave behind a legacy.
Being one of your admirers and sometimes (or often) vocal critic, I want you to be remembered by the Cebuanos as a good administrator and a kind-hearted mayor and not as an arrogant, vindictive and heartless public official.
Had your Lolo Serging been alive today, he would have whipped you with kagingking for being arrogant. But it is not yet late, Mayor Tom. A person's character and attitude can be changed.
For one, do not pick up nonsense or petty issues. Mary Ann does not deserve your time and attention. She is nothing compared to you.
The lies that you protested against and which pushed up your blood pressure was nothing but a mere election issue. It was even counter-productive on Mary Ann’s part now that the people of Lahug know the real score. Besides, you could have countered it through the media instead of resorting to a childish action and decision.
As a media person, I would thank you for giving us a hot issue to pursue. As for the Lahug school children, I reckon that they will also give you a million thanks.
To Mary Ann, I salute you for your courage and principles. But here’s an unsolicited advice. Now that you have achieved your intention to push Tomas to reconsider his decision, please stop antagonizing him. Don't rock the boat anymore, so to speak.
Do not issue public statements that might offend the mayor’s sensitivity. You already know his temper and state of mind. He is unpredictable and inconsistent, and he might scrap the project again.
(I don't really know why the mayor is acting like this. Is this a side effect of the medicines he is taking, or is this because of his drinking habit?)
But back to you, Mary Ann. Note that I lambasted the mayor when he scrapped the Lahug school building project. I even called him a heartless mayor. Like you, I am concerned with the welfare and future of the children and your constituents.
But now that the mayor has reconsidered his decision, I think it is just fair and proper that you will also thank him. Swallowing your pride would not make you less human. You will still be pretty.
To sum up, I would go back to that old phrase: all’s well that ends well.
