Tuesday, November 20, 2007 Cabaero: Basis for comparison By Nini B. Cabaero Beyond 30
IF you look at it in numbers, 15 out of 80 does not even come to a fourth of the pie.
While Cebu City barangay captains belonging to the opposition have grown in number after the last elections, from seven to 15, they still do not represent a fourth of the total number of barangay captains.
It boosts confidence though to have more people at your corner but, for the city’s political opposition, the opportunity is not in their numbers. Not even in the doubling of the number of opposition barangay captains because they could easily be outnumbered in any voting to be done by the association of barangay heads.
The opportunity lies in their ability to present an alternative view or a view separate from the one held by the majority of the barangay or village officials. And, in offering this alternative view, they could enlighten constituents through a plurality of voices.
It could work for their projects too. What actions they undertake in spite of their being in the opposition could be doubly fulfilling. Their successes would shine brighter because their constituents would know these were attained despite the odds. The performance of the majority becomes the basis for comparison of achievements.
According to Genuine Opposition Cebu City chairman Jonathan Guardo, the opposition can change the political landscape in the city by year 2010, as shown in the number of winning candidates in the Oct. 29 barangay and youth elections.
Those belonging to the opposition who won in the last elections took their oaths Sunday before a crowd of about 400 people.
Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos, one of the opposition leaders, challenged the new officials to serve sincerely. She also said opposition barangay captains need to learn to be self-reliant and resourceful to be able to deliver basic services. “We should all do our homework. Don’t sell your principles. Stand up for your loyalty. No matter how much other candidates give the voters, if we have done our job in serving, they will not succeed,” she said.
On fears that the Cebu City Hall led by people in the administration party might not give them funding for projects, the opposition leaders promised some assistance.
The majority is held by the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan party of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
Barangays now with captains belonging to the opposition are Poblacion Pardo, Sambag I, Agsungot, Day-as, Lahug, Buot Taop, Pasil, Cogon Pardo, Calamba, San Antonio, San Nicolas Proper, Sapangdaku, Duljo Fatima and two others.
Their numbers do not carry much weight, not even with the doubling of opposition barangay captains after the last elections. What would count more would be the way they grab the opportunity to perform well despite being in the opposition.
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