Osmeña says no to Lacson’s overtures

CEBU CITY — Mayor Tomas Osmeña has snubbed overtures by Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson for him to run under Lacson’s party in the 2004 polls.

Describing Lacson’s intention as virtually "for pogi points," Osmeña said Lacson must have wanted his support and to "get the sympathy" of his political party, Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK), in his presidential bid because he (Lacson) knows that former mayor Alvin Garcia "is not going to win in Cebu."

"Where we stand right now is that we are supporting (Raul) Roco. But if President Arroyo runs, I have no choice but to support her because she has done a lot of things for us and we cannot turn our backs on her," Osmeña told reporters.

Osmeña said Roco got the support of the BO-PK because he is the only presidential aspirant who had approached him and asked for a dialogue while Lacson did not.

The mayor noted the fact that traditional politicians implore the support of business tycoons, especially in the suburban areas, believing that it will give them an edge over their rivals.

"Although Roco is not well-funded, his going around will give him a lot of sincere support that just cannot be bought," Osmeña said.

Roco had a meeting with Osmeña and south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco last week about the worries of the former senator on his political rivals who have sufficient funds for their campaign — Freeman News Service