Tom's Sister Lists Up As City Voter: Georgia Osmeña to run for mayor?

CEBU - Is Georgia Osmeña really throwing her hat into the Cebu City political arena?

Speculations about this became rife as Georgia, the youngest sister of Cebu City Mayor-on leave Tomas Osmeña, registered as a voter of barangay Camputhaw last Thursday.

“There is a possibility that another Osmeña will be running,” lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda said after Georgia went quietly to the Commission on Elections-Cebu City North office to register.

Sepulveda said that that is very significant for Georgia, who has become a registered voter in the country for the first time.

Georgia is the fifth child of the late senator and former mayor Sergio ‘Serging’ Osmeña, Jr.

The other children of Serging are New York-based socialite, Minnie; former senator and namesake, Sergio III; Cebu City Mayor Tomas and Stevie.

Sepulveda said that he knows Georgia personally way back 18 years ago, because he was one of her lawyers.

“If she will run, I will vote for her. She is a strong candidate,” Sepulveda said, adding that aside from being intelligent, competent and passionate, she also listens and heeds to the advice her lawyers.

Georgia has stood as the de facto guardian and administrator of the vast De la Rama property holdings spread out in Cebu, Negros and Manila.

Former Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia, in a separate interview, said that Georgia could be a strong candidate for mayor if the report is true that she is planning to run for the post.

“Sa akong tan-aw, lig-on usab nga kandidato pagka mayor si Georgia kana kon modayon siya,” Garcia said.

Garcia and Tomas are former allies, but have fallen apart.

Garcia, however, said he does not have plans for the 2010 elections, but said there is no problem if Georgia will enter politics in Cebu after the end of the term of her brother.

Mayor Osmeña, whose term will expire in 2010, has already endorsed Vice Mayor Michael Rama as his successor.

Rama was in Manila since Wednesday and did not answer calls. — /NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)