Tom: Opposition has long way to go

CEBU, Philippines - Even if former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada is leading the surveys, his endorsement will still not make the opposition party win.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, in recent interviews, said the opposition party still has a long and hard way to go to be at par with the administration party.

This despite the fact that they are being endorsed by Estrada, who is reportedly leading in the surveys.

“I don’t choose my candidates based on what is popular in Manila, I decide what is best for Cebu,” Osmeña said.

Estrada was recently in town for his “Lakbay Pasasalamat” and was also endorsing opposition leader and businessman Jonathan Guardo.

He was warmly received by the Cebu City south district residents.

Osmeña said Estrada’s endorsement will not matter since Cebuanos are intelligent.

“We have more bodies and less slots while they have less bodies, just recycled losers again,” he said.

Osmeña said he choose Mar Roxas as his presidential candidate and he will not get tired of saying that the latter was responsible for the entry of the call centers in the Philippines, an industry that is providing millions of jobs as well as income to the country.

Osmeña said they are almost done filling their lineup but will only announce it prior to the deadline of the filing of the certificates of candidacy.

But Guardo said the opposition is getting stronger and they are never invisible to the eyes of the constituents.

Guardo who lost in the 2004 elections said he was always visible to the public as well as Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann de los Santos, who is eyeing a seat as north district representative.

Guardo said Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan officials should reveal its projects so that the people will know whether they are still worth the votes of the Cebu City residents.

Viable standard bearers of the opposition include south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco and former mayor Alvin Garcia, which, Guardo said, will make BOPK’s Vice Mayor Michael Rama-Joy Augustus Young team up look lame. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)