يحاول ذهب - حر

Just call him Tom

July 04, 2025

|

The Freeman

On his return to public service, Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants to ban his photo from being displayed inside City Hall, stating that this will be one of his basic rules.

No office in City Hall will be allowed to hang his photos.

He said whenever he sees a picture of the mayor alongside national officials like the president, it comes across as showing off.

"What's the message? I'm a big shot, I don't like that," said Osmeña.

He emphasized that under his leadership, there will be no sacred cows and nobody will be allowed to use his name to gain an advantage. In addition, Osmeña is now implementing a practice where nobody is allowed to call him "mayor", "vice", or "sir."

"Just call me Tommy, they'll get used to it," said Osmeña.

He further explained that he wants to break the tradition and stereotype among top officials or politicians, adding that he simply wants to fulfill his role as a public servant.

"I am the same as anyone," said Osmeña, "I do not like people who makes sipsip."

Now that he is back in office, Osmeña said he will contribute to putting the "mess" of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) back in order, but also voiced skepticism about converting the project into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

المزيد من القصص من The Freeman

The Freeman

Not that simple

Earlier, Senator Robin Padilla earned the ire of many sectors after calling today's youths weak after a rise in suicide cases involving young people.

time to read

1 mins

February 17, 2026

The Freeman

Motorcycle taxi firm calls for end to fleet cap

Grab-controlled motorcycle taxi platform Move

time to read

1 mins

February 17, 2026

The Freeman

Gilas starts grind for FIBA Asian qualifiers

It’s back to the salt mines for Gilas Pilipinas less than two weeks before its campaign in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

time to read

1 min

February 17, 2026

The Freeman

Council urges quick repair of collapsed Paknaan riprap

The Mandaue City Council approved a resolution urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office-7 to immediately repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct a collapsed flood-control structure along the Butuanon River in Barangay Paknaan.

time to read

2 mins

February 17, 2026

The Freeman

P5.2M drugs seized, 434 suspects fall

Over P5.2 million worth of illegal drugs were seized, while 434 suspects were arrested during a weeklong police operation carried out across Central Visayas from February 8 to 14.

time to read

1 mins

February 17, 2026

The Freeman

The Freeman

Mayor seeks DOH support for CCMC

Cebu City Mayor Nestor D. Archival has formally sought assistance from the Department of Health (DOH) to help equip the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC)—marking his administration’s first direct appeal for national government support in outfitting the facility.

time to read

1 mins

February 17, 2026

The Freeman

"Persona non grata"

Who is more of a persona non grata, the Chinese ambassador who is only doing his job to defend and uphold his government's interests, or the two senators and seven of their allies who are betraying the trust of the Filipino people by proposing to surrender the Kalayaan Island Group to China?

time to read

3 mins

February 17, 2026

The Freeman

A public hearing in Cebu on political dynasties

The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms will hold a public consultation on anti-political dynasty measures this Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. at the Performing Arts Hall, University of the Philippines Cebu, Lahug, Cebu City.

time to read

1 mins

February 17, 2026

The Freeman

What it means to love

It slipped my mind that it was Valentine’s Day last Saturday, overrun by the series of events that capped the week.

time to read

2 mins

February 17, 2026

The Freeman

10 tourist toilet stops eyed for southern Cebu

The Cebu provincial government is rolling out toilet stop facilities across 10 local government units (LGUs) in southern Cebu to better serve tourists and ensure readiness for the upcoming 48th ASEAN Leaders' Summit.

time to read

2 mins

February 17, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size