Tom hopes Davide will get national post

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña expects that former first city councilor Hilario “Jun-jun” Davide III, who ran and lost to now third termer Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in last May polls, will get a national position in the administration of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Davide is among the Cebuanos Osmeña thinks will be given a national position by Aquino.

“But I think he prefers a national position, a lot of people are saying presidential assistant but I don’t know,” Osmeña said.

He jokingly mentioned that he would prefer Davide to be the governor after one year.

“Mahimong atong i-recall di ba,” Osmeña said in jest.

He added that he also heard reports that the next Department of Public Works and Highways will also be a Cebuano in the person of Jose Rene Almendras.

Almendras used to lead Cebu Holdings, Inc. and Cebu Property Ventures and Development, Corp. as president simultaneous with his position as head of Ayala Land’s Visayas-Mindanao group since 2001 until he was transferred to Manila Water Co., Inc. on 2007 as group director of business. He was appointed president of Manila Water in 2009.

“I heard that the next DPWH secretary will be from Cebu. Rene Almendras. He’s a classmate of Noynoy,” Osmeña said.

Meanwhile, city administrator Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez clarified that he is not eyeing any national position and that he will not be interested even if Aquino makes an offer.

“I would like to declare to everyone nga dili ko interesado and I am not angling for any national position. I want to stay here in Cebu, return to Pagtambayayong and work with farmers and be a farmer myself,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez’s resignation is effective on May 24. The choice on who will succeed him depends on mayor-elect Mike Rama.

Fernandez said that Rama asked him to stay but he insists on giving Rama the chance to pick his own choice as city administrator.

He, however, recommended assistant city administrator Juvy Morelos for the job. (FREEMAN NEWS)