Rama allies get committee memberships

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama pose with the Cebu City council at the session hall after delivering his State of the City Address. (CDN PHOTO/ JOSE SANTINO BUNACHITA)

One year into their term, the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) yesterday eased their grip over the Cebu City Council by allowing allies of Mayor Michael Rama to be members of some committees.

Last year, Mary Ann Delos Santos asked why she and Councilor Dave Tumulak were not made committe members even  if they were “competent”.

Yesterday, the BOPK-dominated council made  Delos Santos a member of four committees — the committee for social services, laws, ordinances; public accountability and good governance; cooperative and livelihood, as well as health, hospital, services and sanitation.

Tumulak is now a member of the committees on public order and safety, tourism and information and communication technology.

Majority Floor Leader Margarita Osmeña said the majority bloc didn’t assign chairmanships to the minority councilors since “they didn’t ask for it.”

“But it’s still one step forward. At least, there is a more comfortable relationship among oursevles. We can argue inside the session hall, but after the session, it’s okay,” Osmeña said.

De los Santos, for her part, said, “I’m very appreciative and I’m very happy that this is the working relationship now of this council. You can see democracy at work and extending a hand of cooperation and collaboration both to the majority and to the minority.”

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