MANILA, Philippines -- Former Cebu Gov. Lito Osmeña filed at the Comelec central office in Manila, his certificate of candidacy for senator on Sunday afternoon.

Osmeña will b running under his Promdi Party, the party that advocates countryside development as the trigger for national progress and the same party he ran under in his unsuccessful 1998 presidential bid.

Osmeña vowed to improve the economic conditions of the provincial folk and pursue a government decentralization program.

He said he would count on the support of Cebuanos, lamenting that there has been a dearth of Cebuano senators.

He said Cebuanos should emulate Bicolanos who have four senators (Francis Escudero, Joker Arroyo, Gregorio Honasan and Antonio Trillanes).

"I hope this campaign will delve into issues that are relevant and not sensational," he said.