Tweedledum or tweedleedee?

Team Rama and Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan unveiled Friday their 2013 election slates. Is this a case of “Tweedledum” and Tweedleedee”?

In Lewis Carroll's 1805 book “Through the Looking Glass”, two men bicker but ape each other. Today, “Tweedledum:” and Tweedleedee” has come to mean two who talk different but act in identical ways.

We’re not twins, Mayor Mike Rama and Rep. Tomas Osmeña swear. Both their programs of government are fuzzy. “Rama is stupid”, Osmeña sneers. Worse, he fraternizes with provincial governor Gwendolyn Garcia . Does he sing off-key? Maybe we can’t hold a tune, Rama retorts. But .Tomas could see the inside of an anti-graft court for bogus police cars.

Cebuanos however see no forward planning that Asian Development Bank cites as critical in “Competitive Cities in the 21st Century” Some 2.1 million men, women and children live in Metro Cebu. Births, migrants and rapid economic change are shoving borders outwards

“Queen City of the South” .is short of water, swamped by floods from denuded watersheds, and clogged drains blocked by squatters. Repayment South Reclamation project yen loans sap a quarter of the budget. .Summary executions by vigilantes were never solved, US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone Jr. wrote.

Cebu must re-invent itself,” as El Niño disturbances, rising levels of ever-warmer seas, severe rainfall interlocking with prolonged drought,”, cautions a new study that peers 30 years into the future. These call for “out-of-the-box thinking, says the analysis by Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation and World Wild Life Philippines.“ United political leadership” is a key element. “Effective, efficient, responsible and transparent governance” is the second vital component

Plan for the next 30 years”, urges civic leader Roberto Aboitiz. Cebu’s many assets, include good schools, dynamic civic groups and modern private hospitals. But it lacks the ability to spur and handle growth. “The future does not belong to small, unprepared, incoherent and divided cities. If we don’t create a vision, we’ll be bypassed.”

Cebu has already been bypassed. Rama didn’t craft a long range plan.in his first term. Neither did Osmena in three terms. “The result is fragmented 19th century-style fiefdoms,” notes Neeraj Jain of Asian Development Bank.

These are compelling issues. Yet, they’ve been sidelined by criminal charges, lodged by Rama with the Ombudsman, that Osmena dolled up two illegally acquired Dodge Charger cars to look like police vehicles. They ferried, for over two years, personal guests.

The Anti-Graft Law and Code of Ethical Conduct bans soliciting or acceptance of pecuniary rewards by officials in dealings with persons affected by performance of their official duties. PD 46 prohibits illegal use of uniforms or insignia of an office not held by the person using it.

“Show me the deed of donation,” Osmena fumed. “These were donated to me” Yet, they’re registered in the name of Tomas’ sister and nephew. Both have been dragged into suit. The car was painted over this month, Omena added., “So, what’s the fuss about?”

It is also about four documents required before a car maybe repainted ,” A local columnist Bobby Nalzaro explained (1) affidavit of change of color, required by Land Transportation Office; ( 2 ) National Police macro etching certificate; ( 3 ) PNP motor vehicle clearance certificate; and (4 ) Order of Payment by TMG Motor Vehicle Clearance Office.

Did Osmena ( or relatives? ) comply with these requirements. Maybe Tweedledee should ask “Tweedleedum.”*

( Email: juan_mercado77@yahoo.com )

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