Delos Santos asserts independence in city council

Cebu City councilors Mary Ann delos Santos (left) and Margot Osmeña share a light moment before the 3rd inaugural session of the 13th Sangguniang Panlungsod. Delos Santos is rumored to join BO-PK.
(CDN/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

IT WAS a show of political powers and colors during the Cebu City Council inaugural session yesterday.

Bando Osmena-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) councilors came in blue Barong Tagalogs and Filipiniana dresses while those allied with Team Rama wore the traditional white Barong Tagalogs.

Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos wore neither color. She came in a brown Filipiniana gown, with a green sablay as accent.

Delos Santos said her color was a representation of her being independent. She is currently identified with Team Rama, but is being courted by BO-PK.

“My political color is green. I remain independent and this has always been my political color. So, I think there’s nothing new. When I started in 2013, I started with color green. And now I’m on my last year on my first term, I still maintain my color green. As you can see,” she said, indicating the green sablay.

Her gown was made by designer Dino Lloren.

Delos Santos said she had also suggested the color green to Team Rama, while it was still being formed in 2013.

Team Rama is identified with the colors yellow and green while BO-PK uses the colors blue and yellow.

“I just want to put it on record that I maintain my independence, even prior to the visit (of former mayor Tomas and councilor Margot Osmeña),” delos Santos said.

“As you can see, I vote independently for what will go down to the benefit of the constituency of the City of Cebu. Even measures sponsored by Team Rama, if I don’t see it in line with my convictions, principles and conscience, I don’t support it,” she said.

This applies to measures sponsored by BO-PK councilors as well, she added.

Asked if she’s still with Team Rama, delos Santos said she just wants to focus on her performance.

The councilor has admitted that the Osmeña couple visited her in her residence in barangay Lahug and asked her to join the party.

Delos Santos described the visit as “the loudest whisper in town,” but refused to give more details.

Despite remaining independent, delos Santos still heads the committee on health and got several memberships in the committees on budget and finance, social services, youth and women and family affairs. She is also the vice chairperson of the committees on education and games and amusement.

Delos Santos also remains the minority floor leader while councilor Dave Tumulak is assistant minority floor leader.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmena is still the council’s majority floor leader. The assistant majority floor leader for the north district is councilor Lea Japson while the assistant majority floor leader for the south district is councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr.

Councilors Noel Wenceslao, Gerardo Carillo, and Richard Osmeña, who bolted from BO-PK to join Team Rama late last year, were also given memberships this time.

Wenceslao is a member of the committee on barangay affairs, Richard Osmeña is a member of the committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship while Carillo is with the committee on environment.

Mayor Michael Rama, together with Tumulak, Carillo and Richard Osmena, flew to Manila immediately after the inaugural session to attend the launching of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Rama has been with UNA since 2013.