The fight to secure a majority in the Cebu City Council had a new twist as the opposition bloc nominated a Cebuano columnist to replace Councilor James Anthony Cuenco.
Former mayor Michael Rama said the Barug Team Rama-PDP Laban will nominate Cebuano columnist Erik Espina. Rama said he was in Malacañang last week to follow up on Espin’s appointment.
Sought for his comments, Espina told Cebu Daily News that he was humbled by the offer to occupy the seat vacated by Cuenco.
Now in his 50s, Espina is a broadcaster and a columnist for Manila Bulletin. He is the youngest son of former senator and Cebu governor Rene Espina.
If Espina’s appointment is approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, the administration Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) and Barug Team Rama bloc will be tied with nine members each.
Cuenco was ordered dismissed from public service by the Ombudsman last year after he, and his father, former congressman Antonio Cuenco, were found guilty of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct.