Monday, April 28, 2008 Tomas eyes Bimbo as Cuenco’s successor
HAS Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña found a congressional candidate for the south district?
Although he has not openly endorsed City Administrator Francisco “Bimbo” Fernadez, Osmeña believes he is the most qualified candidate in the 2010 elections.
The mayor, however, clarified that an endorsement has neither been formally discussed by the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan party nor announced publicly, contrary to radio reports.
“I have been saying during discussions that Bimbo is most qualified; but the issue here is if he is interested to run, if he has the resources and things like that. But if it’s based on the ability, especially on relations with the urban poor and advocacies, I think Bimbo is very unique in that sense,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
For his part, Fernandez said he is not interested in the post, saying “it is beyond my competence.”
“I have no plans to run. My appointment as administrator at City Hall is co-terminus with the mayor. Once the mayor ended his term, I will go back to being a citizen,” he said in a phone interview.
Candidate
A radio report said Osmeña has identified Fernandez and City Councilor Jose Daluz III as possible candidate in the next election.
South District Rep. Antonio Cuenco is on his third and final term.
After the strained relations between Cuenco and the mayor and their conflicting views on the redistricting of the City’s barangays were reported, Osmeña had said he will find a congressman he can rely on.
When asked if he will support Fernandez if the latter decides to run, the mayor said: “I will be almost obligated to support him because he is very qualified.” (LCR with NRC)
