Our great province of Cebu, vote-rich and very important in the overall national politics, has only produced one president, and that was very long time ago, during the Commonwealth era. Don Sergio Osmeña, whom we used to revere as the Grand Old Man of Cebu, left us not only grandsons today who are active in politics, but also lasting values, principles and perspectives that we could all emulate and follow. The politics of Don Sergio was that of gentlemen, of men and women of ''delicadeza'' and honor, the politics of genuine service to the people, based on love for country and of fear of God.
It was not a politics of PDAF or DAP, nor a politics of pork barrel and of wheeling and dealing, not the transactional politics that we have today, nor the politics of patronage that make politicians prosperous with unexplained wealth. Don Sergio's politics was a politics of self-sacrifice. He had to give way a number of times to the more demanding, aggressive and articulate Manuel L. Quezon, his permanent partner in many political struggles, including the founding and the struggles of the Nacionalista Party.
The first virtue that today's politicians should learn from Don Sergio is humility. Legend had it that when Don Sergio would give a tip to his barber, he would only hand over one peso while his son, Sergio "Serging" Osmeña Jr. used to give five pesos. (By the way, these were already big amounts on those times). When the barbers would look askance, he would say, rather lightly, "Pasagdi lang si Serging kay anak man og Presidente, ako anak lamang og pobre." ("Serging could give you more because his father is the President. I am only a poor man's son.")
The second lesson that today's politicos should learn from the grand old man is high principles in politics. When Don Sergio was challenged by Don Manuel Acuña Roxas of Capiz, the grand old man did not campaign at all, except a short speech, the only one he delivered in the entire campaign period. His reason was magnanimous. He did not want the Visayans to be embroiled in partisan and divisive politics. He did not want the people of Cebu to be pitted against the people of Panay. He lost by a very slim majority but, like today's Eddiegul, he conceded immediately and even escorted the winner to his oath-taking ceremony.
Don Sergio was never involved in terrorism nor in vote-buying. His name was never tainted with any controversy. He was never accused of womanizing like his friend Manuel L. Quezon, nor of corruption like Elpidio Quirino, nor of ''selling'' the country to the US like Manuel A. Roxas. He was a man of honor and dignity until he died. He did not enrich himself while in office. He died with just enough for his many children. It was his first wife and also his second wife that brought some wealth into the family. He just served his people faithfully and died beloved, honored and highly esteemed.
Cebu may not be able to produce another president. But the only one we have had was one of the greatest of them all.
attyjosephusbjimenez@yahoo.com