SOUTH district congressional aspirant Jonathan “Atan” Guardo said that some barangay captains under the Bando Osmena-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) will defect to the opposition if they are not included in the administration lineup for the City Council in next year's local and national elections. With due respect to Guardo, I disagree.

The aspiring barangay captains, some of whom are my close friends, will have to follow the decision of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, the titular head of BOPK. Even if Tomas is no longer eligible to run for mayor and anoints Vice Mayor Michael Rama to run in his stead, he will still be calling the shots in the selection of BOPK bets for councilor.

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Mike can do nothing and will just bow to the whims and caprices of his political patron.

Only three seats in the north district will be vacated as Councilors Jack Jakosalem, Cris Alex and Nestor Archival leave. Two seats will be left vacant in the south by Councilors Gerry Carillo and Arsenio “Pacs”' Pacana.

For the north district, Tomas has mentioned the names of Luz Barangay Captain Nida Cabrera and non-government organization (NGO) leader Alvin Dizon. That means only one seat is left and that could be reserved for former councilor Gabby Leyson, who might make a comeback after losing in his bid to become Talisay City mayor in the 2007 elections.

Globe executive Jerry “JY” Yntig is interested to join politics. Boss JY is close to the mayor and I was informed that he is in the “waiting list.”

This is not to disappoint my friends like Busay Barangay Captain Yody Sanchez and lawyer Sisinio “Bebe” Andales of Pahina Central, as they are both qualified. But let's admit that BOPK affairs are dictated by only one man, Tomas Osmeña. Without his approval, they won’t be included in the line up.

In the south district, former councilors Coping Fernandez and Joy Pesquera may make a comeback. I think they are the preferred bets because they already served for several terms. So there is no more vacancy there.

But things will change if another Osmeña runs for mayor and Mike insists on running for the post under another party. Aw, kana puwerteng daghanang bakante para konsehal.

If I am a barangay captain allied with the administration, why should I defect to the opposition without any valid reason? First, there is no solid opposition group in the city. Former mayor Alvin Garcia's Kugi, Uswag Sugbo (Kusog) party is weak and I doubt if it can put up a complete lineup in next year’s elections.

What can barangay captains get if they join the opposition? Nothing. Doing so will only jeopardize City Hall’s support to their barangay. We all know that barangay captains are dependent on City Hall for projects and dole outs.

Remember the first encounter of Alvin and Tomas in 2001, wherein almost all barangay captains sided with Alvin? In their second encounter in 2004, all the village chiefs had defected to Tomas’ camp. Asa tong kamay adto magpanon ang mga sulom.

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This Cebu City councilor was caught by his wife in the house of his girlfriend. Who is he? Ang konsehal gibunalan kuno og balde sa iyang asawa human masakpi. Ang kulukadidang nga babaye naa pod magtrabaho sa City Hall. Pagkatoytoy.

(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com)