CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he is not impressed with presidential aspirant Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino but may feel comfortable with Sen. Manuel Roxas now by his side.
Roxas was initially the bet of Osmeña who looks up to him as the person solely responsible for the influx of the call center industry which revved up the country’s economy.
In the recent meeting with five other local government leaders in Davao City, Osmeña said he raised to Aquino the concern of not having the Local Government Code or Republic Act 7160 amended since its codification in 1990.
Aquino is the Committee on Local Government head in the House of Senate.
“But he only answered that it just has to start with the congressmen, a sentiment from Congress, he is not actually sold with the idea. I’m not completely impressed,” Osmeña said.
In the meeting, which was attended by Osmeña, Naga Mayor Jessie Robredo, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat and Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano, Roxas, Aquino and Sen. Francisco “Chiz” Escudero was able to initially lay out their respective plans.
Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices, who was in the earlier meeting, was not able to make it in Davao.
Osmeña said the five of them (Lobregat, Emano, Duterte, himself and Fernandez) were still undecided.
“It was natural of Robredo since he is from the Liberal Party but for five of us, we still don’t know. It was just an opportunity to dialogue. Probably the next president is a tandem with someone from the younger generation. I don’t think Villar or Erap could make it,” Osmeña said, referring to Manny Villar and ousted president Joseph Estrada.
He said the group has not decided on whether there will be a follow-up meeting.
The other topics discussed were peace process in Mindanao and policies involving LGU’s, which are left alone after the elections.
The group initially met here early this month prior to Osmeña’s leaving for a check up in Houston, Texas.
Osmeña is still on sick leave until the 30th but may go for an extension or resignation making way for the ongoing investigation against his son Miguel, who was accused of harassment earlier this month. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)