Cebu has zero impact on national politics today

We are deeply saddened that Cebu is a political behemoth and a socio-economic giant, which the vortex of power in Metro Manila totally ignores today. There is no overall Cebuano leader today with national stature, and with overall national following. Cebu is currently experiencing a drought in national recognition and influence. There are no more Don Sergio Osmeñas, or Mariano Jesus Cuencos, or Don Filemon and Don Vicente Sottos today. There are no more Fernans and Davides in the national scene. In the overall Philippine politics, Cebu is like a desert with not a single tree standing. Why? Because Cebuanos do not think as Cebuanos anymore. We have wings but we have no roots. We have global and extraterrestrial aspirations. But we have no common Cebuano bond.

Cebu is a socio-economic and political diamond which is currently being ignored by Imperial Manila. Cebu is the home of many great leaders and professionals who are being marginalized by the gods and high priests in the inner sanctum sanctorum of national decision-making. Cebu is a sleeping giant whose potentials are largely unrecognized and untapped. Cebuanos are great businessmen and industrialists who have forgotten their Cebuano roots and are not taking care of Cebu and their fellow Cebuanos. Cebu was once a very important factor in national decision-making. No major policies were adopted without a Cebuano involved in reaching such crucial decisions. Cebuanos were elected president, senate presidents, speakers of the House, and appointed to the Supreme Court and to the Cabinet, to the foreign service as ambassadors and consuls. Today, Cebu has zero impact on the national scene.

During the time when President Sergio Osmeña Sr. was president, all the other Filipinos looked at the Cebuanos with the highest respect and awe. During the time of President Carlos P. Garcia, who was from Bohol but whose first lady was Leonila Dimataga from Mactan, the other Filipinos were amazed at the beauty and brains of Cebu women as well as the political prowess and stature of Cebuanos. Don Mariano Jesus Cuenco was recognized as the political titan in the Senate that even the president was afraid of him. The famous Sotto brothers, Don Filemon and Don Vicente were envied for their eloquence and for their mastery of the law and parliamentary procedures. Don Vicente Rama was a famous political leader and journalist. Later, there were Sonny Osmeña, Boy Herrera, and Celing Fernan in the Senate.

Don Paulino A. Gullas was a Bar topnotcher who was the founder of The FREEMAN. Today, none of us can hold a candle to all those great and eminent men. Cebuano lawyers made a mark in the Philippine practice of law and in the judiciary. Our pride, Marcelo B. Fernan was appointed associate justice and later chief justice of the land. And also, our highly-esteemed Hilario G. Davide, Jr. from my birth town, Argao, was appointed chief justice of the Philippines, after his successful stint in the legislative branch, and after he was appointed Comelec chairman, and later as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and permanent envoy to the United Nations. CJ Davide was earlier elected as member of the Batasang Pambansa. He also helped write the Philippine Constitution. He was a Magsaysay awardee like his brother. Today, do we have people with the material to follow the footsteps of those titans?

Cebu is the biggest province in the whole Philippines in terms of population and voting strength as well as economic and industrial development. Cebu, next only to Metro Manila, has the highest numbers of tourist arrivals in the last five years. Cebu is most important in terms of history, culture, and arts. Cebu is on top of mind of Americans, Europeans, and Asian visitors and investors. The Cebuanos are the best in all fields of human and professional, artistic, sports, and other endeavors. But sadly, in the realm of national politics, and in the high echelons of national power, Cebu is not represented. Cebu is like the brilliant man who is totally marginalized from the vortex of power and politics.

There is no Cebuano senator today because the Cebuanos' support for Serge Osmeña was lukewarm and the voters preferred actors and some lesser bets from other regions. There is no Cebuano in the Cabinet. There is no Cebuano in the Supreme Court. Cebu is ignored by Imperial Manila. I am sad for our province, and yet, we, perhaps deserve our fate.