Governor lambasts poor leadership in city

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia calls Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña a “temperamental erratic bully” as she pities the city for being in the hands of leaders minus the leadership skills.

In a press conference yesterday, Garcia said that Vice Mayor Michael Rama may be friendly, good-natured, and has a character that is exactly opposite to that of Osmeña.

“But it’s not about being friendly. It’s about his dignity as a person. He (Rama) has a responsibility to the public as a public official. Giyatakyatakan na siya, giyagayagaan na siya ni Tomas, unya okay lang gihapon niya,” Garcia said.

She added that the Council is acting like a “lapdog” of Osmeña. “Usa lang ka witik ni Tomas nila, moaw-aw dayon sila. The city now is really in a bad, bad shape. Maluoy ko sa constituents sa siyudad,” Garcia said.

The lady governor added that Rama seems to have not cared on how Osmeña treated him lately for the sake of the latter’s political ambition in 2010.

“Rama thinks that only Osmeña can make him win as mayor,” the governor said, clarifying that she has nothing to do when it comes to Cebu City politics.

She also said that she is ready to give up (as governor) at any point if it meant upholding the dignity of her office.

As to the rumors that the Garcias will be fielding a candidate in the mayoralty race in the city, the governor hinted that rumors could mean there is a clamor for change in the city’s leadership.

“The city needs a firm and a highly principled leader who can stand on his own two feet and someone who values his own dignity,” she said.

Meanwhile, Garcia reiterates that anybody who is endorsed by Osmeña is tantamount to kiss of death.

The governor’s statement stemmed after Osmeña publicly announced his endorsement for Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas in the presidential race.

Roxas, on the other hand, has been sending flowers to the governor, apparently hoping for an endorsement or perhaps “courting” her to be his running mate in the 2010 elections.

“How can I endorse candidates in the province endorsed by Tomas, nga daghan man siya og mga mayor nga gipang-away? His endorsement is tantamount to kiss of death because of this arrogant bully constantly working against the province,” Garcia said.

The governor added that the Cebu province has 1.6 million voters, not to discount the unity of “One Visayas” wherein local government units recognize and accept Cebu as a leader, unlike before when these LGUs viewed Cebu as arrogant and war-freak because of “one familiar person”.

One Visayas, which was recently launched in Cebu, is being spearheaded by Garcia. It is composed of 16 provinces – six in Western Visayas (Region 6), four in   Central Visayas (Region 7), and another six in Eastern Visayas (Region 8). — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV    (THE FREEMAN)