I read somewhere in this paper that some people are getting alarmed by the seemingly growing rift between Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama. These people are reportedly alarmed because the two supposedly used to be the best of friends. What I can say to that is that these people either do not study history or simply have been inattentive to what has been going on.
Let me start with the late 1980s because I was already in media then and could recall with a degree of certitude certain political events that happened since then. In 1988, Tomas Osmeña and Alvin Garcia ran and won as mayor and vice mayor. Osmeña kept the post for two terms then gave way to Garcia.
Their supposed friendship fell apart in no time when Osmeña would not let Garcia run things his own way. Osmeña eventually wrested back the mayorship. Rama too eventually became his vice mayor. Things went smoothly only for the while that Osmeña was safely ensconced in his seat. They eventually quarreled when Rama took over and Osmeña sat out his term limits in a different seat, as south district representative in Congress.
Then Osmeña challenged Rama twice, succeeding the second time. But Osmeña got Labella, Rama's running mate, as vice mayor. This ensured that the relationship would always be testy, as expected of two officials from different political parties. Then it was time for Labella to challenge Osmeña, but not without having to shake off Rama from his leg. Rama wanted to challenge Osmeña himself.
That it took a lot of wheeling and dealing and cajoling and threatening to get Rama to step aside for Labella and instead run as his running mate was as clear an indication as any that their partnership was not going to last. And if people are correct in perceiving a growing rift between the two officials, let me tell them it is nothing to be alarmed about but rather expected.
As they say in politics, there are no permanent friends, or enemies, for that matter, only permanent interests. Rama was a friend to Labella for only as long as he thought he can make Labella step aside for his own rematch with Osmeña. When Labella would not budge, only his greater long term ambition stopped Rama from completely burning his bridges with Labella.
The chips stacked against him, including the powerful ally Labella found in President Duterte, Rama had no choice but to suck it up and slide down to vice, there to bide his time for the opportunity to pounce. And boy was Rama quick to pounce, openly speaking his mind unflatteringly against some Labella policies. There is no biting of the lip to ensure a smooth transition to a next time.
And so it is what it is in this mayor-vice mayor thing, or for any other position that has vice just waiting for the right time. It is the nature of a vice to long for the higher position. That is what he is there for. Friendship has nothing to do with why the principal and his vice are there. One is there to fill a need, the other as a matter of exigency. Friendship is not the gel that can bind them together. What does is mutual respect.