Archival: BOPK will not be left out of key committee posts.

Local

AS TALKS of a Kusug-Barug coalition stir up council politics, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. remained unfazed and confident that Bando Osmeña – Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) will not be shut out.

Archival said he would respect whatever political bloc emerges in the Cebu City Council following its scheduled inaugural session on Tuesday, July 8, even amid talks of a possible Kusug-Barug alliance that could push BOPK into the minority.

He said the upcoming selection of the council’s majority and minority leaders, as well as the committee chairmanships, should be left to the councilors themselves.

“[If] unsay mahitabo ugma then that's it,” he told reporters on Monday, July 7.

He also downplayed concerns about BOPK potentially being left out of key committee posts.

“No. Nothing [to worry]. For me, as you can see ang presence gani karon, dili baya kaayo ka participative before, nakabantay ka naag tulo ra lima mo join, but karon perfect [attendance], karon they are enthusiastic and [their] presence already is a gift to the Cebuanos. Para nako walay problema ang committes because these are the committees nga ilang trabahoon. And I don't think walay committee ang BOPK. Ug mubabag sila… unsa may ila rason?” Archival said.

Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña earlier expressed a firm stance that the council’s support is not necessary for him to implement key reforms.

“I want to change the system, the influence system, and the collection of garbage. Do I need to pass an ordinance? No. This is an SRP. It's a multi-billion-dollar project. There's no ordinance for the SRP. You're under this delusion just because you're the council. That's why I don't believe in adding more councillors and some more,” he added.

The 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod will elect its Majority and Minority Floor Leaders and reorganize its 24 standing committees during Tuesday’s session.

Political observers are watching closely as councilors from the three main parties—BOPK, Partido Barug, and Kusug—each hold six seats, resulting in a rare 6-6-6 deadlock.

In the days leading up to the session, former mayor and Kusug leader Raymond Alvin Garcia confirmed ongoing negotiations for possible alliances.

He said the selection of committee chairs and bloc leaders should remain the sole prerogative of council members, not the executive.

Talks of a Kusug-Barug coalition resurfaced after former mayor Michael Rama of Partido Barug and former mayor Garcia both expressed openness to renewed alliances.

“We stand for the people, that’s why BARUG,” Rama said in a press conference on July 4. “Ang politika, anything goes. Dili jud ta kaingon nga ‘wag ka magsalita ng patapos.’ Final statement? What will really serve the greater good and the greater number is what we will pursue.”

He added, “Party interest ends when people’s interest commences… I am telling you, for the good of the City of Cebu and the interest of those investing in the City of Cebu, I am always open for any alliance.”

Rama’s son, Councilor Mikel Rama, also clarified that his “main alliance is with the people.”

“And whatever political partisan arrangement, as long as it benefits and is for the common good of the constituency that chose us, I will be supportive of. That’s my message,” he said.

Still, both Ramas were clear that no formal coalition exists yet.

“There is no such thing as an alliance until there is paper being signed,” the elder Rama stressed.

Reelected Councilor Philip Zafra of Partido Barug earlier confirmed he was approached for potential coalition-building. While he remains open to joining the majority bloc, Zafra said his top priority is public service.

“If majority ko, then I will help the administration, basta kay ang among tuyo sa pagdagan, mao man gyud ang pagserbisyo sa mga Sugboanon,” he said. “I will not be an obstructionist. I will be fair in dealing with the issues.”

He also made it clear that any alliance decision would be made collectively by the Partido Barug leadership.

“There are initial talks being made, naay mga nanawag jud to convince to form the majority, pero as I’ve said, anything can happen,” Zafra said.(TGP)