A puppeteer and a sucker for insults

Few days after the political victory of US President-elect Barack Obama, he was asked by media for specific policy changes, meaning those that would radically depart from the direction of President George Bush. The question was relevant and perhaps, to some, pressing, considering that the campaign strategy of the election winner focused on the administration of the outgoing president. Many Americans were eager to jumpstart their new leader even ahead of formal turnover ceremonies. After all, he promised change and it seemed to them that they could move quickly in the light of the economic crisis they had.

Obama could have very well answered the question and propriety notwithstanding, the euphoria over his triumph would still have blunted adverse comments. But, the president-elect would not to be caught with a potential controversy. More importantly, there was no need to be unkind to the Republican at the White House with untimely policy pronouncements contrary, if not derogatory, to existing ones. He addressed that issue with a profoundly mature declaration - "(t)here is only one president in this country" or words to that effect, a fundamental precept in constitutional law. Obama was absolutely right in stating the obvious that he would discharge his function after he shall have taken his oath. Even the learned among the skeptics could, after kilometric discussion, describe it as astute.

Cebu City is, of course, not like America. Our leaders here are arguably better. While Obama made it clear that Bush was still the president and therefore in control of the reigns of the government, here in our city, we have the happenstance of being served by two mayors. One is a puppeteer and the other is a sucker for insults..

His Honor, Cebu City Mayor-on-leave Tomas R. Osmeña, took the most decent step of his governance by filing a leave of absence. We understood him, wished him well and prayed that God guide the healing hands of his doctors. From the time he submitted his leave papers, I was looking at the moves of Hon. Michael Rama, the vice mayor as acting mayor.

Came the much publicized offers of Mr. Francisco Fernandez, Engr. Paul Villarete and Atty. Rodolfo Golez to submit their courtesy resignations. Their announced objective was to give the Acting Mayor Rama a free hand, suggesting (admitting is the exact word) that if they were around, the substitute mayor was not free in running city hall. As we read it from the dailies, there was a condition attached to the offers - if Rama would ask for their exit.

By refusing to let go the key men running the day-to-day affairs of city hall, Rama yields himself to an unusual situation. These three gentlemen, at least, insure that the mayor on leave is, well, not really on leave. Make no mistake about it. Mayor Osmeña rules the city by remote control and all that Rama does is act as his puppet.

I like to believe that acting Mayor Rama knows that the acts of the mayor-on-leave are, more than making him a puppet, insults openly and callously heaped not only on his person and integrity but worse upon the position. But, I also like to think that it is the acting mayor's obsession to be anointed by Mayor Osmeña in the next elections that gives him this abominable tolerance. Rama can never displease Osmeña, kay ayo!

Just the same, let me wonder. What if a questionable undertaking arises out of the affairs of Mayor Osmeña involving the city. To cite a very minor example, take the case of this regular telephone conference the mayor, in the US, does with city hall officials here in Cebu.. Who pays the cost? The city?

The lawyer in Acting Mayor Rama knows too well that in case, upon the instructions of the mayor-on-leave, there is, either by intent or simple mistake, a monumental error in the transaction of the Filinvest Land Inc with the city, he, not Mayor Osmeña may be held accountable. He cannot raise the defense that he is only a puppet. My oh my!