Despite his support for binay: Sonny: Digong to win in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines -  Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will win in Cebu, or so says Toledo City Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña.

Duterte, who is running with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as his vice presidential candidate, visited Toledo City yesterday where Osmeña, who considers the Davao Mayor a close personal friend, helped organize his rally, despite supporting Duterte's rival Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Osmeña said Duterte will corner the Cebuano votes in the May 9 election.

"He is a Cebuano. He has grabbed the imagination of the Visayas," Osmeña said in an interview. Duterte's father is from Danao City, Cebu.

Thousands of enthusiastic supporters and fans turned up at the Toledo City Parola for the rally, some were even so emotional they ended up crying.

In his speech, Duterte promised to solve the drug problems in the country in three to six months if he is elected president. He also promised to continue the 4Ps program and abolish contractualization, among others.

Toledo City has over 103,000 registered voters.

Osmeña also made it clear that he is still committed to support Binay, who was in the city for Osmeña's Team Alagad proclamation rally last March 29.

The 81-year-old local chief executive earlier endorsed the candidacy of Binay who is running under the United Nationalist Alliance, but said he is not beholden to anybody.

"I am not a party man. I don't belong to any political party and I don't even belong to the UNA party of Binay," Osmeña said.

Most of his leaders, Osmeña said, are supporting the candidacy of Duterte.

When asked if he is going to stop his supporters from supporting Duterte, Osmeña said "No, no. It's up to them and I will respect their decision".

In a press conference with Duterte and Cayetano at the Toledo City Hall, Osmeña assured that he will not utter a word to stop the people from voting who they want.

"That is democracy. The Dutertes of Davao and the Osmeñas of Cebu have always been upholding democracy," the former senator said.

Osmeña also said that according to his younger brother, former Cebu Governor Emilio "Lito" Osmeña, in his heart he is a Duterte supporter.

"Sabi ng aking kapatid, na walang alam, ewan ko ba kung bakit naniwala pa kayo sa kanya, na ako daw ay I am Duterte in my heart. Siguro naman for a change, tama siya," Osmeña said.

Duterte responded, "Hwag na tayong magbolahan. In the same way I am having a hard time convincing Ilocano votes. I can be the last in all surveys, I don't mind being the last but I have said before, ako yung huling baraha ng Pilipinas to solve the problems of drugs, corruption and criminality," Duterte said.

Duterte added that on the campaign trail and wherever he goes, he just pays respect to the head of the local government unit.

"We are nearing in the end game in a few days. Maghintay na lang tayo. It's too late convincing people, its either by this time, alam na ng mga Pilipino kung sino ang iboboto nila. By this time tapos na ang election," Duterte said.

Duterte added that there is no incumbent official in Cebu supporting him and he is better off to leave it that way as he does not want people put in a tight fix.

As for One Cebu's withdrawing support for Binay, Duterte said he does not want to get involved in the issue. Rumors have it One Cebu will announce to support his candidacy soon.

"I don't want to be the person to be blamed for destroying an agreement. I am banking on being a Cebuano. If they want a president that is Cebuano, fine. Kung ayaw nila, eh di huwag. As simple as that," Duterte said.

When asked if he will eventually support Duterte, Osmeña said that election is still far off and many things can happen.

"Dugay pa ang election. Dunay koy saad, duna ko'y committment nga di ko makatalikod ni Binay. Pero kahibalo ka naman, layo pa lagi ang election," Osmeña said.

Duterte and Cayetano likewise recognized the value of Cebuano votes.

"Cebu is big deal because it has the largest voting population. Cebu is the best proof that Federalism will work despite the limited resources," Cayetano said.

The two also called for calm and sobriety in the midst of still-growing tension between hungry farmers and police in Kidapawan City.

Duterte said that the Davao City Council will pass a resolution to facilitate the assistance to the El Nino-hit farmers.

On Friday, violence erupted when police used force to break the barricade set up by around 5,000 farmers along the highway in Kidapawan City.

Cayetano said that if only the buffer funds were released last year, the violence could have been avoided.

"There is no reason in this world to shoot farmers who were merely demanding from the government help from the oppressive drought. This is totally unacceptable. This is the height of impunity," Cayetano said.

The tandem expressed their dismay about the general lack of peace and order in the country, which they said resulted from the government's systemic neglect of the people's demand for real change. — /BRP (FREEMAN)