Monday, May 12, 2008 Nalzaro: Mike Rama’s dilemma By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
THERE’S a lot of reason why Vice Mayor Michael Rama should be rejoicing these days. Mayor Tomas Osmeña has anointed him as the next mayor of Cebu City. At least, as of this writing. Dismissing speculations that another member of the Osmeña family will succeed him, Tomas announced last week the Mike Rama-Joy Agustus Young tandem for the mayoralty and vice mayoralty position of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) party for the 2010 local and presidential elections.
But political pundits warned the vice mayor not to be overexcited and overconfident. The election is still two years from now and many things can happen along the way. Some promises are made to broken. Mahulog man gani ang mumho nga naa na sa baba, kanang pa kahang saad ang dili mahimong pakyason. We cannot predict our future. God sets our destiny. But it’s also better to prepare ourselves for the future.
Because of the early endorsement, Mike is faced with a dilemma. From now on until 2010, he can no longer show his independent stand and assert his right as vice mayor and presiding officer of the City Council. He has to be careful not to make a move that might offend or antagonize the hizzoner. Meaning, he will be Tomas’ political slave. A “yes” man and a political lapdog at that. Kanunay na siyang pagpasilong sa pulitikanhong landong ni Tomas.
Why? Well, simply because we cannot read the mind of Tomas. If Mike somehow does something that might displease his political patron, the mayor can dismiss him anytime. I am not a fan of the mayor. I think everybody knows that. But I can say without fear of contradiction that Tomas is calling the shots in the political setting of Cebu City. One cannot be a member of his own political aggrupation if he does not like you. The latest victim of his vindictiveness is Cebu City South District Rep. Tony Cuenco, a longtime political ally. Nabugto ug mi-aslum na ang pulitikanhong relasyon ni Tony ug Tomas.
It is just as easy for Tomas to turn his back on Mike. The mayor can create a scenario that Mike is not a popular choice to succeed him. Maybe he will ask his barangay captains to pass a resolution or come up with a united stand that they prefer First Lady Margot Osmeña to be the standard bearer of the BO-PK. Or come up with a survey that will show that Mike is not acceptable to BO-PK supporters. There are so many ways to skin a cat.
Basin sa umaabot nga mga adlaw modoul si Tomas ni Mike ug mo-ingon: “Mike kon akoy pabut-on ikaw gayod akong gustong magmayor. Pero unsa-on man nga ang gusto sa atong mga supporters si Margot man. Si kinsa ba akong mobalidad sa awhag ug kagustuhan sa haring lungsod.” Aw, dili na makalalis si Mike ana kon mosandig si Tomas sa haring lungsod.
Okay granting that there are no hitches and Mike will succeed Tomas at City Hall. How long do you think will Tomas allow Mike to run the affairs of the City Government? Only for one term and again, Tomas might make a comeback. Iya lang patilawon si Mike ug unsay mayor? Or will he allow Mike to finish three full terms? That’s a total of nine years.
Some political observers said the reason Tomas picked Joy Young as Mike’s runningmate is because Joy Young can easily neutralize Mike through the City Council if Mike decides to make it on his own, like what former mayor Alvin Garcia did. Young is perceived as an Osmeña loyalist and BO-PK councilors by then will most likely still dominate the council.
This is the nagging question: Will Mike be able to run the affairs of the City Government without Tomas’ interference? Can he shake off the image of being Tomas’ political lapdog? If he can overcome these, I will congratulate my friend Mike and I will even join him in singing his favorite song, “The way you look tonight.”
