Sonny O gets Magpale support in mayoralty bid

Former senator and mayoralty candidate John “Sonny” H. Osmeña received an endorsement from acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale in yesterday’s proclamation rally in Rafols Street, Toledo City.

With TV actor DJ Durano and former Viva Hot Babes starlet JC Parker regaling the crowd, Osmeña had a ready audience to air  his criticism against  Mayor Aurelio Espinosa and Vice Mayor Arlene “Daydee” Zambo.

Osmena, who is running as an independent,  accused the incumbents of “monopolizing” businesses and key posts in Toledo City.

Magpale of the Bakud-Liberal Party arrived at  6:30 p.m. and went on stage to endorse the former senator then  left to catch up with another rally in Mandaue City.

What remains to be seen is whether the 76-year-old Osmena will keep  his word  and endorse the LP’s opponent Rep. Pablo John Garcia as Cebu governor.

Sonny’s only son John-John, former Cebu vice governor,  recently had graft charges dropped against him by the Sandiganbayan over the  Perdido Lex Foundation scam.

John-john, now based in the United States where he moved in 2006, in  a recent interview told Cebu Daily News  the Sandignbayan decision clearly showed “I was framed”. His father blamed former governor Gwen Garcia for the mess.

Sonny’s campaign rally kicked off with a mass at the San Juan de Sahagun Shrine yesterday.

The proclamation rally was held on  Rafols Street in barangay Poblacion where the trailer truck stage blocked the road.

Posters of candidates under Sonny’s  party “Panaghiusa Toledo” were displayed.

The former senator vowed to “restore democracy” and a stable peace and order climate in Toledo City.

His runningmate Dr. Antonio “Jun” Yapha is going up against Zambo.

The former senator accused the Espinosas of monopolizing businesses in the city such as the sale of fish to the delivery of goods to Carbon market in Cebu City.

Yapha told the crowd that although they are not residents of Toledo City, they will deliver the same quality of service that they gave in other areas.

He was with his  daughter Pinamungahan town Mayor Geraldine “Gaye” Yapha who is running for Cebu’s 3rd congressional district and Engr. Gigi Sanchez-Zaballero who is running for a Provincial Board (PB) seat.

Mayor Yapha and Zaballero both criticized suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for her role in the irregular purchase of the Balili property in Naga City.

Zaballero  discussed how her father, the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. suffered under Garcia’s administration.Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus