Cebu pols ban Osmeña from stage

CEBU — Another political bigwig in Cebu has joined the move to ban Sen. John "Sonny" Osmeña from being on stage during the campaign sorties of President Arroyo and her K-4 (Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan) ticket here.

The position of gubernatorial candidate Celestino Martinez Jr. was made known during a meeting this week among the camps of Martinez, Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. John Gregory Osmeña, the senator’s son, supposedly to draft the mechanics on how Mrs. Arroyo could campaign in Cebu considering that Malacañang has not declared any of the three the official gubernatorial candidate.

During the meeting, Martinez’s representative and running mate Gregorio Sanchez said Sen. Osmeña is also not welcome to their supporters and thus, cannot be allowed to come up on stage during campaign rallies.

Pablo John Garcia, who represented his sister, Gwendolyn, also reiterated their position.

Board member Josefina Asirit, who represented Vice Gov. Osmeña, said the senator is welcome on stage with his son.

John-John was earlier quoted as saying that he would not go up on stage if his father is not welcome.

Aside from Garcia and Martinez, Sen. Osmeña’s cousin, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, and Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, will also ban the senator.

Ouano, however, said he cannot prevent Mrs. Arroyo if she insists on bringing the senator with her. — Freeman News Service