THE regular session of the 16th Cebu City Council is usually marked by disagreement on some resolutions and ordinances, but not on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, their last regular session.
Councilors from opposing political parties greeted and hugged each other after they delivered their privilege speeches.
There are 10 outgoing councilors, including Mayor-elect Nestor Archival.
During the privilege hour, outgoing Councilors Jocelyn Pesquera, Noel Wenceslao, Jerry Guardo, Rey Gealon, Donaldo Hontiveros and Archival delivered speeches, thanking their fellow councilors and congratulating those who were reelected.
The other outgoing councilors are James Anthony Cuenco, Joy Augustus Young, Mary Ann delos Santos and Renato Osmeña.
Future plans
Pesquera, De los Santos and Wenceslao bared some of their plans away from government service.
Pesquera said she will practice law again, and will be writing a book on local taxation and the zoning ordinance.
“This is one of the piece of legislation that, in a way, is very exciting and challenging,” she said.
De los Santos, a mental health advocate, said she will be spending time with herself during her off-season as a politician.
“For now, I have no concrete plan, but it’s all about me, myself and I. So, I have time to rediscover myself again,” she said in an interview.
“There is still life outside politics and I’m looking forward to that because I have been spending my good 30 years in public service,” De los Santos added.
Wenceslao said he is planning to build a small business and attend to personal needs.
“Relax mode. More or less. I have a lot of personal work to do,” he said.
Accomplishments
The 16th council passed a total of 117 ordinances as of June 25, according to a summary report from the legislative body. The ordinances were passed over the regular sessions spanning July 2022 to June 2025.
Out of the entire term of the 16th Sangguniang Panglungsod, a significant number of ordinances either lapsed into law without executive approval or had unclear status due to the absence of the mayor’s signature. / JPS, Ashley Judd Alon, UV Intern, Jairus Antonio Zoilo Amora, HNU Intern