Tom O gripes: Cebu lacks support from Liberal Party

All is not well in the Liberal Party’s forces in Cebu.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña said he hosted Monday’s dinner meeting with LP national president Mar Roxas to discuss “LP’s lack of support for Cebu.”

“They have nothing to offer Cebu, especially the province,” he told Cebu Daily News.

Osmeña was tight-lipped about reports of a heated disagreement with Roxas during the meeting at Tinderbox in Banilad, Cebu City.

“I cannot give you more details because it will only create more animosity,” said Osmeña.

He said he wanted to discuss the matter with Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) allies first before going public.

Osmeña said he was prepared to leave the LP and seek election for Cebu city mayor without the administration party since he would rely on his local group.

“We would not even care if LP supports Mike’s candidacy,” he said, referring  to Cebu City  Mayor Michael Rama, who is seeking reelection.

“From the start, we were not part of any national party.  Our only loyalty is to the people of Cebu City,” he told Cebu Daily News.

Roxas who arrived in Cebu on Monday to meet LP allies was invited to a late-night  dinner with Osmeña.

Also in the meeting were Local Government secretary Jesse Robredo, LP Cebu province chairman Hilario Davide III, Raul del Mar and Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young.

“Mar was sent by the President to Cebu for meetings with the allies here.  Tomas has been complaining that they are not taking care of Cebu City,” Young told CDN.

Young said several concerns that included projects needed in Cebu City were presented to Roxas. They also discussed “political possibilities” and names of possible candidates for positions in Cebu City and Cebu province.

At one point, Osmeña and Roxas started to “raise their voices.”

“But that is normal in politics.  Dili na siya away.  In the end, we were all laughing,” said Young.

Osmeña admitted that he got irritated during his discussion with Roxas, but he would not say why.

An LP ally, who did not want to be named, said the friction started when Roxas mentioned Mayor Rama’s presence in LP activities, something Osmeña doesn’t do.

“So what do you want? Kick me out?” Osmeña was overheard saying.

He reportedly was disappointed that Roxas has “disregarded” Cebuano supporters despite the one million votes delivered for him in the 2010 elections.

Osmeña said he was the first to declare support for Roxas when Roxas announced he was running for president, then continued his support even after Roxas gave way in favor of Benigno Aquino.

Osmeña yesterday said BO-PK does not pledge allegiance to the national party.

He said  BO-PK candidates are prepared to win the 2013 election without LP’s support.

Osmena said Malacañang sources told him that President Benigno Aquino III does not want to intervene in his political dispute with Rama and said to “Let them  settle it among themselves”.

“With how things are going, it puts me on notice that we just have to consider doing it (winning the election) alone,” said Osmeña.

The strain will not affect the gubernatorial bid of Davide, a former Cebu City councilor.

“This has nothing to do with Junjun,” said Osmeña, adding that he would continue to help Davide’s candidacy “in whatever way I can”.

He laughed off the the withdrawal of support of his cousin, former senator John Henry Osmena.

“That is expected of Sonny kay palaaway man gyud na siya.  Wherever he goes, he fights with everybody.  He (Sonny) is a nowhere man,” said Rep. Osmena.