Tommy Osmeña to run for Cebu City Vice Mayor in 2025 elections

Former Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña speaks in a press conference on Friday, February 29, 2024, in Cebu City. CDN Digital photo | Pia Piquero

CEBU CITY, Philippines — (UPDATED) Former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced his plans to run for Vice Mayor in the 2025 midterm elections if his preferred mayoral candidate accepts his endorsement.

Osmeña made the announcement in a press conference held on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Osmeña expressed his intention to run alongside City Councilor Nestor Archival, whom he endorsed as a mayoral candidate for the 2025 elections.

“If I were to choose, I would choose [Nestor] Archival [to become] the mayor. He can make a good mayor. I will make him a good candidate… I will be his Vice Mayor,” he said.

Osmeña disclosed that he has been talking to Archival to consider running for mayor, as he believes Archival has the potential to be a “good” leader for Cebu City.

“If Archival runs, I will run. That’s how far I am willing to go. If he’s not running, I don’t care. Why would I waste my time with someone else,” he remarked.

READ MORE: Daluz and Tumulak potential tandem for 2025 midterm election

Osmeña noted the importance of letting the position seek the individual rather than actively seeking a position. 

He also voiced his desire to give Cebu back to its people

“I want to give Cebu back to the Cebuanos,” he said.

Concern for the youth

Osmena shared that what he appreciates about Archival is his concern for the youth. According to Osmeña, Archival has dedicated his whole salary for the last two decades to scholarships.

“He’s putting his money where his mouth is, and that is what is missing today – not sports, not Sinulog – but taking care of the next generation. We are not taking care of our youth,” he said.

Osmeña stated that he could assist Archival as his vice mayor by concentrating on the areas where he needs help, particularly in “project management.”

“The key to running the city is fundamentally wrong. We don’t think long-term. Our leaders think only about things that will make them win the next election. But if we want to see a community develop, we have to think ahead, just like children’s education. That’s not two or three years; our leaders do not have that kind of patience,” Osmeña stressed.

Osmeña: Body is 50 percent, mind is 97 percent

Moreover, Osmeña shared that many of his friends have been asking him to play an “active” role in politics.

However, he mentioned that he cannot realistically serve as mayor since his body is only 50 percent but his mind is 97 percent.

He said that if he wanted to play an active role, he would start by addressing the issues preventing Cebu City from moving forward.

“What is good for Cebu City, not what’s good for BOPK, what’s good for Tommy Osmeña. I’m taking into consideration what are the major obstacles preventing Cebu City from moving ahead,” he stressed.

Osmeña stated that he has spent 30 years building Cebu, and what he considered the “biggest” obstacle is the attitude of the people in general.

“It would be better off if it’s the people who will choose the mayor, not the mayor choosing himself,” he added.

Singapore-like Cebu?

Osmeña also commented on Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s vision for Cebu City to be Singapore-like with a touch of Melbourne.

“Does Basak San Nicholas really look like Singapore? He’s been mayor for so long. Look at Basak San Nicholas. Does it look like Singapore? Then he goes to Melbourne, then with a touch of Melbourne. You know what my nightmare is? If he might visit Disneyland, then all our barangay officials will be behaving like Donald Duck,” Osmeña said.

Meanwhile, when asked about Rama endorsing Cutie del Mar, Osmena bluntly said, “I don’t like Cutie.”

Previously, Rama announced that he will still have his nephew, Rep. Eduardo “Edu” Rama Jr., for south district congressman while Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar will be joining them for north district representative.

READ: Cutie del Mar to join Rama’s group in 2025 elections

Del Mar, daughter of the late congressman Raul del Mar, was Rama’s ally when he was still with the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) of Osmeña.

“She thinks she can buy things off. I respect the father. Raul Del Mar is not Cutie. There’s a huge difference,” he said.

Osmeña also revealed his inclination towards City Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos as a potential candidate for congress in the North District. However, he has not yet finalized his choice for the South District.

The tandem of Archival and Osmeña marks the third ‘potential’ political partnership to announce their candidacy for the 2025 polls. The first two are those of Jose Daluz III and Dave Tumulak and Mayor Mike Rama and Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Osmeña, 75, last served as mayor of Cebu City from 2016 to 2019.