Rama hoping to patch things up with Tomas

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama does not want his relationship with Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña to go the way of the latter’s rift with former mayor Alvin Garcia.

“How I wish it will not happen. Sa Tagalog pa ‘may pinagsamahan’ man mi,” Rama said.

Osmeña and Garcia launched their political careers together in 1988, with Osmeña winning as mayor and Garcia as vice mayor.

For two terms, the tandem was virtually unbeatable. In 1995, Osmeña gave up a third term in favor of Garcia. But things began to sour shortly after Garcia won a second term in 1998 and in 2001, Osmeña regained the mayorship from Garcia by a slim margin of 3,030 votes.

Last Monday, Rama told Osmeña that he has to wait until 2013 to run for mayor again as he was getting annoyed by the congressman who keeps criticizing his management style.

Rama said he has also his name to protect.

Other members of the BOPK said they would rather not meddle in the exchange of words between Osmeña and Rama and hope that the conflict will immediately be resolved.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said that this scenario has occurred a lot of times in the past, which is why they are not so worried that this will go the way of the Osmeña-Garcia rift.

“In the 20 years of BOPK, this has happened many times and every time there is conflict, BOPK has always come out stronger. We will learn something from it,” Young said.

He said that what is happening between Rama and Osmeña is a matter of principle on how things should be done.

“They just have to understand that each of them have different ways. Hilom lang sa mi, hopefully they will patch things up,” he said.

Councilor Sisinio “Bebs” Andales, a staunch ally of Osmeña and Rama only have different views and opinions.

But Andales, however, hopes that “being respectable leaders they will settle their differences over a cup of tea and smoke a pipe of peace to the delight of the Cebuanos.”

Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. also believes that both leaders do not need the help of the city councilors to resolve their conflict.

Councilor Jose Daluz III said that Rama and Osmeña know best because they have been in politics longer than he has.

“We pray and we wish na ma-solve. They are very good leaders. We know that both of them are looking after the welfare of the city. They have been there through thick and thin, daghan na sila naagian,” Daluz said.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña, Tomas’ wife, said she refused to be affected by her husband’s and the mayor’s conflict.

“Basta I’m doing my job. I’m a wife to Tommy and a city councilor. To summarize, I’m not going to add to it,” she said. — Garry B. Lao and Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)