FROM department head to Cebu City councilor?
Although Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) has yet to decide on its final slate, lawyer Marie Velle Abella admitted that she is one of the group’s possible candidates for south district city councilor.
“I’m included in the long list of BOPK’s possible candidates, but nothing is final pa,” she said.
Abella, who heads the Cebu City Human Resource and Development Office, has been with the City Government for the past 12 years and was one of the pioneer members of the Mayor’s Management Team (MMT).
Formed in 2005 by Mayor Tomas Osmeña, the MMT was tasked to report to the mayor after conducting case studies on problems in City Hall, such as auditing, slow procurement and undelivered services.
She was among the MMT members who were appointed by then acting mayor Margarita Osmeña as department heads in 2016.
While she is open to serving the public as an elected official, Abella said she has yet to make a final decision.
“I am interested, but I still have many things to consider for now,” she said.
Abella, though, is not the only one whose name has been floated as part of BOPK’s slate.
Last week, unverified reports claim that the 51 allied barangay captains of BOPK are endorsing Kasambagan Barangay Captain Ong for vice mayor and to be Mayor Osmeña’s running mate.
The village chief, though, wants to focus on the Association of Barangay Councils, which he heads. (RTF)