Wednesday, January 09, 2008 Nalzaro: Vindictive mayor By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
I DON'T know if Mayor Tomas Osmeña was serious or he was just joking when he texted Cecille Quibod of GMA 7’s Balitang Bisdak regarding his reaction to the plan for provincial jail inmates to participate in the Sinulog grand parade.
In his text message, Tomas said, “I am not interested in assuming the risk.
Let them have their own show with (Bobby) Nalzaro as their lead zombie/dancer in jail.”
Whether he was serious or not, I would thank the mayor for remembering me even if he was in a foreign land. The mayor was still in the United States when he sent that message to Cecille. Now I know I am always in his heart and mind. How sweet naman.
I am also not taking the mayor’s message seriously. But Cebuanos who have already seen both of us either in person or on television know who looks like a zombie with big tummy. Maybe the mayor still had a hangover when he texted Ms. Quibod. I don't see any connection between the dancing provincial jail inmates and me. But I can forgive him.
This is not the first time, however, that Tomas mentioned me in media interviews and made offensive and adverse remarks against me. In his regular press conferences at City Hall, the mayor would sometimes castigate me without being asked to. As my neighbor in this page, lawyer Frank Malilong puts it, I am Tomas’ pet peeve.
This only shows how vindictive he is. I am a critic of the mayor, but he should not also forget that I supported some of his policies. We were one in the vigilante issue, remember? I am not closing my eyes to things that he does well. I said this before, and I will say it again: Tomas is a good administrator.
But he is taking our conflicting stance on some issues personally. We met several times already and I always tried to be civil to him, but he ignored me. We met inside the old Rustans Supermarket in Mango Ave. several years ago. I greeted him, but he just stared at me.
I also met him in a Regional Development Council meeting at the Marriot Hotel. I extended my hand for a handshake and greeted him. But again, he ignored me. Well, what can I do if the mayor bears a grudge against me? I am just an ordinary person, a powerless individual.
