Sonny not supporting Georgia's bid for mayor

CEBU, Philippines - Former Senator John “Sonny” Osmeña said yesterday he will not support his cousin Georgia Osmeña in the latter’s plans to run for mayor of Cebu City.

“No, I will not support her,” a very straightforward Osmeña said.

He said he and Mayor Tomas Osmeña may disagree in many things, but he reportedly respects the mayor’s “ascendancy” in handling the city’s “political scene.”

Tomas himself was very vocal in saying that he will not support his younger sister. Even before Georgia’s announcement, Tomas already endorsed Vice Mayor Michael Rama and education consultant Augustus “Joy” Young to be the standard bearers of Bando Osmeña – Pundok Kauswagan.

The mayor is now on his last term and has expressed intention to run as congressman in the city’s south district against businessman Jonathan “Atan” Guardo.

Meanwhile, the former Senator admitted he has since lost communication with his son, former Cebu Vice Governor John Gregory Osmeña, since the latter left for the United States, much more of John-John’s plans in politics.

“During Christmas Day, he did not greet me ‘Merry Christmas.’ During my birthday, he did not greet me ‘Happy Birthday.’ During Father’s Day, he did not greet me either,” Osmeña said.

“Maybe he has now a job and probably married. I don’t know, we have not communicated for a very long-time,” he added.

The former vice governor was embroiled in controversy after he was linked to the illegal smuggling of pseudoephedrine, a controlled precursor chemical for making shabu.

Prosecutors had filed charges against him for violating section 4 (5), Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs for allegedly “using his public position and power to protect and coddle Mike Cummings and Dirk Hultz.”

Cummings and Hultz, believed to be Australians, were the importers and consignees of the 1,500 kilos of pseudoephedrine contained in 60 drums.

In 2008, the Department of Justice recommended P200,000 bail for John-John’s temporary liberty. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (THE FREEMAN)