To decide who to support in 2010: Veteran mayors to meet regularly

CEBU, Philippines -  A study group composed of seven “experienced” local executives of the country’s important cities will now have constant meetings prior to the 2010 elections.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who is one of the seven officials, said they are to meet by end of the month or even if he is yet in Houston, Texas where he flew last night for his checkup.

He confirmed the group met in his rented yacht over the weekend and they cruised in the Hilutungan Chanel.

Along with Osmeña are Mayors Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City; Agustin Perdices of Dumaguete City; Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga; Alipio Fernandez Jr. of Dagupan City and Vice Mayor Vicente Hermano of Cagayan de Oro City.

The seventh is Naga City Mayor Jessie Robredo who was not present in the latest meeting. Osmeña said there is no formal setting as to the organization and name of their group.

“It is just like a study group, no formal setting, official spokesman, there is nothing. We just have common denominators,” he added.

One of the common denominators, Osmeña said, is that all seven of them felt they are a little ignorant on things going on, precisely why they met and exchanged perceptions.

“Another important common denominator is that the seven are not ‘bata-bata’ (supporter) of any political lord, or some of them belong but they are independent minded. They represent what I believed to be among the most experienced, most respected mayors,” Osmeña said.

According to him, these local leaders are not that exposed to the national scene and are dependent on their own resources.

As to whether they will come up with common criteria on their probable president, Osmeña said they are not approaching such like a beauty contest.

“We are just receiving perceptions. We are looking forward to a dialogue with presidential candidates,” he said.

The mayor explained the dialogue will be exclusive or a close meeting because they really wanted to get to know the candidate and not use the meeting as a venue to promote themselves publicly.

He said they are expecting other mayors or even governors to join the group who may be in one way or another supporting certain “presidentiables” already.

 When sought for comment on the popularity of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Osmeña said there has been no question on his integrity. “But other than that maybe we are so curious about, because we don’t know him.”

Osmeña flew to Houston, Texas last night for his second to the last quarterly checkup at the MD Anderson Cancer Center where he underwent surgery and treatment for his urinary bladder cancer. — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB     (THE FREEMAN)