Opposition councilors join Cebu City inaugurations, maintain role as fiscalizers

Opposition Councilors Nestor Archival joins the administration councilors in the oath-taking ceremony on June 30, 2022.

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The inauguration of Cebu City officials were dominated by the ruling party, Barug PDP-Laban, as they won not only both executive positions but an overwhelming majority in the council as well.

Yet joining the inauguration are Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) Councilors Nestor Archival and Joy Augustus Young who were inaugurated alongside their political opponents.

Archival told the media that they agreed to be inaugurated along with the rest of the majority to show unity to the public that even though they were in the opposition, the. entire Council is united in its stand to better Cebu City.

“It was an oath-taking for all Cebu City officials. Wala paman mi ka take oath gyod, so we intentionally joined the oath taking para ma official among pagka konsehal,” said Archival.

North District Councilors taking their oath.

Other BOPK Councilors Mary Ann Delos Santos and Jose Abellanosa did not join the inauguration because they had already took their oaths ahead of time and Abellanosa is also currently outside the country.

Archival notes that all councilors were invited regardless of the political party and the choice to be there was personal for both him and Young.

“Nothing changed. Naa gihapon mi sa minority but we are actually supporting the projects of Cebu City,” he said.

Archival will remain to be the minority floor leader for the Council although this is yet to be finalized since the six BOPK councilors are yet to officially meet.

However, the councilor confirmed that based on initial talks, he will remain to be the minority floor leader, which for him is just a title since they are only a few in the opposition anyway.

South District Councilors taking their oath.

Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President, Councilor Jessica Resch, and Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President, Councilor Franklyn Ong, were also present in the inauguration.

Resch and Ong, both from BOPK, were among those who witnessed the inauguration as ex-officio members of the Council.

“Among agenda nga ang projects, transactions sa mayor nga sakto ang proseso and to secure the future of our youth. From the start gyod, supportive man gyod ko sa bisan kinsa nga administration as long as gitabangan mi sa administration. Sukad paglingkod nako, I have three mayors nga naagian,” said Resch.

South District Councilors taking their oath.

Both Archival and Resch responded positively with Rama’s call for unity but stayed firm that they will be the check and balance in the City Council.

For the majority floor, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera confirmed that she will be leading as the majority floor leader. She will also be handling committees on health and tourism.

Pesquera said that she will be proposing to newly inaugurated Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia some changes in the Council sessions to ensure a smoother discussion in each session.

Garcia was inaugurated along with the City Council Members in front of Mayor Michael Rama on June 30, 2022.

Councilors Archival, Young, Joel Garganera, Jerry Guardo, Noel Wenceslao, Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella, II, and Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr., all took their oaths together from the North District.

For the South, First Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros led the group with Councilors Jocelyn Pesquera, Philip Zafra, Renato Osmeña, Jr., James Cuenco, Rey Gealon, and Francis Esparis. /rcg

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