This series on local candidates, starting with Cebu City mayoralty bets,aims to help readers decide whom to vote

for on May 10. Next weeks candidate: Georgia dela Rama Osmea

Q & A Special Page 4

CEBU DAILY NEWS | SUNDAY, 4 APRIL 2010

INDEPENDENT candidate John Henry Osmea speaks during a recent forum for mayoralty candidates organized by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and Kaabag Foundation. In his heydey in the Senate, Sonny was called the Lone Ranger.

Sonnys aim: A caring Cebu City in 3 years

J
ohn Henry Renner Osmea emerged from retirement when he declared his plan last year to run for mayor of Cebu City as an independent candidate. If he wins, it will be full circle for Sonny Osmea who started his political career in 1963 when he was elected councilor of Cebu City and then vice mayor in 1968. He was elected member of the House of Representatives for the second district. Osmea was one of the antiMarcos leaders in the country who was hurt during the Plaza Miranda bombing on Aug. 21, 1971. He left the country when Martial Law on Sept. 21, 1971. He returned only after former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated in 1983. He was appointed acting mayor Cebu City in 1986 and was elected senator in 1987, the first election since post-Edsa People Power Revolution. He was senator until 1995 when he ran and won as congressman of Cebu's 3rd district. He went back to the Senate in 1998. Osmea suffered his first loss when he ran for reelection in 2004 under the administration party. At 75, Osmea aims to show opponents that he is still a force to reckon with in Cebu politics. CEBU DAILY NEWS sent questinaires to candidates for city mayor. This is Osmeas response: How do you size up your opponents? Georgia Osmea is well meaning. Alvin Garcia can't follow simple instructions on how to file a certificate of candidacy. Mike Rama has a good singing voice. Wh a t a r e yo u r c a m p a i g n strategies? Communicate! Get the electorate to realize that if they see Mike Rama as a tool of Tommy Osmea, they are wrong. Mike Rama is not trustworthy. He will do his thing in his own way and the number one city elector Tommy Osmea must be made to realize this. Who among your opponents do you consider the strongest? Mike Rama because he has the support of Tommy Osmea. How do you topple a well-entrenched machinery? No, I dont intend to topple the BO-PK. I will work with them and among them. How will you work with those from outside your party who will be elected to serve with you? I have to. I am alone. The city council will be BO-PK dominated. That is why it will be a challenge to me (or anyone elected mayor other than Mike Rama) to build concensus. What do you plan to accomplish in your first 100 days in office? a) Hospital care! Rehabilitate the neglected city hospital. Harness private hospitals for the city QUICK FACTS
Birthday Residence Family Jan. 17, 1935 Kamputhaw, Cebu City Married to Lucy Urgello Only son John Gregory Osmea is a former Cebu vice governor. Both are based in the United States. University of San Carlos and the University of the Philippines Diliman Mechanical Engineering degree Received a lot of flak when he told Cebuanos magpuasa mo after Joseph Estrada was elected president in 1998. Estrada had lost badly in Cebu. A running feud with younger brother Emilio Lito Osmea has eased up in recent years.

Education

Controversies

residents. Provide free medicine. b) Free college education in our universities and colleges. c) Bring down the power cost by developing non traditional and renewable energy. d) Import fuel and sell to public transport operators at lower cost. e) Find a new source of water for the short term and the long term. f) Reforest our denuded watersheds. g) Garbage collection h) Traffic decongestion. Institute a traffic reduction scheme. i) Develop parks and playgrounds in the neighborhoods and the hills. j) Public information. Set up barangay I.T. centers. What are the top three problems plaguing the city? How do you wish to solve them? Not 3 but eight problems . (See No. 2 answer.) For hospital care, in the short term tap the existing hospitals to provide city-funded care. In the long term, upgrade the dilapidated, neglected city hospitals and build satellite hospitals in Pardo, San Nicolas, Guadalupe, Tejero, Mabolo, Talamban, Tisa, Luz, Pari-an and Guba. What is your vision for the city? How do you plan to accomplish this? What policies, programs of the present administration do you plan to continue if elected? Which would change and why? Enhance the citys role in education, trading, health, BPO services, build biotechnological and pharmaceutical centers as well as light industry. Improve the quality of life by providing housing, water, transportation and recreation. Build on what is there. But direct it toward the twin thrusts: Pagponga (to care) and panglantaw (development).
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