Saturday, November 08, 2008 Nalzaro: Mayor’s return and humility By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is back for a brief visit. This is his first homecoming from the United States after he went through an operation to remove a tumor in his urinary bladder.
But I say the visit is not a wise move. Why? He will deliver his state of the city address (Soca) this afternoon, then will leave for the US tomorrow. It's just not worth it, right?
What is more important for the mayor, the Soca or his health? By going home, he not only wasted money but added stress to his deteriorating physical condition.
Well, the mayor is already a multi-millionaire so maybe he does not mind the expenses incurred in leaving and then going back to the US with his wife, Margot. But what about his health?
It is not easy to travel for several hours and transfer from one airport to another. He could have just relaxed and tried to recuperate in Boston while preparing for another major operation and a series of chemotherapy sessions.
He could just have delivered his Soca using modern technology. All he would have done is install a camera in front of him, ask City Hall to mount a big screen at the session hall or the Cebu City Sports Center, then speak. It would have been cheaper.
What's Tomas' purpose in going home? To show that he loves Cebu City? And didn’t he say before that he will not deliver his Soca because the Cebuanos already know what he is doing?
Why the sudden change in his stance? To show that he is physically fit despite his illness? As for running the affairs of the City Government, didn’t he himself say that City Hall is in good hands through his management team?
Besides, even if he is on leave, in reality he is not. His absence is only physical, as he is still calling the shots at City Hall from afar.
Anyway, he is here and we should welcome him. But can the Cebuanos expect some change in his attitude and character? Is he a reformed and changed man? Is he already humble? Is he a kind person and no longer vindictive?
The mayor said that the recent distribution by Gov. Gwen Garcia of deeds of absolute sale to Ordinance 93-1 occupants was not borne out of kindness. The governor, he added, was forced to distribute the titles because the occupants, who had paid fully for the lots, had threatened to sue her.
But Tomas has no moral ascendancy to talk about kindness because he is unkind. Was he kind when he ordered the demolition of the stalls of Sto. Niño vendors and padlocked the gate of the Sto. Niño church?
Was he kind when he stomped on barbecue, physically harmed a taxi driver and drove away vendors at the Pasil Fish Market just because they were from Talisay? Was he kind when he closed the South Coastal Road because he did not want Talisaynons to pass that road?
Was he kind when he shooed people whom he doesn't like away from his office and during parties? Was he kind when he refused to pay the heirs of Matilde Palicte, whose lots were expropriated under his administration, even if the court has ordered it?
Was he kind when he inspired the killing of criminal elements in the city by vigilantes?
We are all sinners, and we all die. Now that Tomas is facing a big challenge to his health, we will continue praying for his recovery. But I hope he will find out the meaning of humility.
