A MEMBER of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) will take the helm of Cebu City’s mayoral office again since it was last held by the local party’s leader, Tomas Osmeña, from 2016 to 2019.
On Monday morning, May 13, 2025, BOPK candidate Councilor Nestor Archival was proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), after winning the race with 253,325 votes.
Joining Archival in the new administration is Osmeña, who secured the vice mayoral seat with a total of 231,259 votes.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for entrusting me with the honor of serving as your Mayor. This win is a reflection of your faith, your voices, and your unwavering love for our city. Let us move forward as one family, united in purpose and driven by the belief that the best of Cebu City lies ahead,” Archival said in a Facebook post.
The other mayoral contenders, incumbent Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Michael Rama, Yogi Ruiz, and Julieto Co garnered 175,116, 118,054, 27,394, and 3,136 votes, respectively.
Osmeña’s competitors, incumbent Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros and Joey Daluz, received 187,805 and 145,809 votes.
In the congressional contests, Edu Rama retained his seat as South District representative, while Rachel “Cutie” del Mar secured another term in the North District.
Elected councilors for the North District are Winston Pepito, Nice Archival, Harold Kendrick Go, Jaypee Labella, Joel Garganera, Alvin Arcilla, Pastor “Jun” Alcover and Sisinio “Bebs” Andales.
In the South District, those elected are Dave Tumulak, Phillip Zafra, Paul Labra, Jose Abellanosa, Mikel Rama, Francis Esparis, Michelle Abella and Harry Eran.
Six councilors are aligned with BOPK. They are Nice, Arcilla, Andales, Labra, Abellanosa and Abella.
The Kusug-Panaghiusa coalition of Mayor Garcia will be represented by Pepito, Go, Labella, Garganera, Alcover and Tumulak.
Zafra, Eran, Esparis and Rama’s son Mikel are from Partido Barug, associated with former mayor Rama. / JPS