WITH no single political party securing a clear majority in the incoming Cebu City Council, new alliances are expected to emerge, outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
The new council will comprise six members from Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), six from Garcia’s Kusug-Panaghiusa Coalition and four from Partido Barug of former mayor Michael Rama.
This distribution prevents any single party from holding a simple majority when the new council begins its term on June 30.
The BOPK councilors are Niza Archival, Alvin Arcilla, Bebs Andales, Paul Labra, Jose Abellanosa and Michelle Abelle.
Representing Kusug-Panaghiusa are Winston Pepito, Harold Go, Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella II, Joel Garganera, Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. and Dave Tumulak.
The four Partido Barug councilors are Phillip Zafra, Mikel Rama, Francis Esparis and Harry Eran.
Swing votes in the council could come from two ex-officio councilors, Franklyn Ong of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) and Rhea Jakosalem of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation.
Ong will retain his council seat as the ABC representative despite an unsuccessful congressional bid. He ran for North District’s congressional seat as an ally of Rama’s Barug but lost to incumbent Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar.
Section 4 of Batas Pambansa 222 (Barangay Election Act of 1982) prohibits barangay officials from aligning with political parties during village elections. The provision is not explicit in preventing them from joining a political party after their election.
A Supreme Court ruling (Quintos vs. Comelec) established that elected barangay officials are considered political figures and may engage in partisan politics. They are allowed to support candidates and participate in campaign activities after their election. This distinction emphasizes that the non-partisan requirement applies strictly to the barangay election process itself, not to the officials once they are in office.
Election of officers
During the inaugural session, councilors will elect officers, including majority and minority floor leaders and committee chairmen.
“I think there will be alliances,” Garcia said. “And for me, it’s still premature to say who will ally, but I am a hundred percent sure that these councilors will really look after what is best for the City of Cebu.”
Garcia explained that the selection of council officers and committee members is an internal matter for the legislative body.
“This is really, purely an internal matter among the 18 councilors of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Give it to them, let them decide who they want,” he said.
While BOPK is tied with Kusug-Panaghiusa at six seats each, there is speculation that BOPK might have the influence to sway votes from Barug councilors or the non-partisan representatives.
Alcover’s speech
Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. of Kusug-Panaghiusa, in a privilege speech Wednesday, praised Garcia and Mayor-elect Nestor Archival for their “politically matured” approach during a transition meeting on Monday, May 26.
Alcover suggested this could signal a new era of political relations where opponents seek reconciliation and collaboration. Garcia and Archival met at the mayor’s conference hall, after which Garcia gave Archival a tour of the mayor’s office.
Garcia said he remains in communication with councilors from his coalition and would support their decisions, even if they align with other parties.
“I would like to see the Kusug-Panaghiusa coalition have an alliance so that they become the majority in the council,” he said.
However, Garcia clarified he would guide and coach but not impose his will on their choices. He also said he had not felt abandoned by councilors elected under his banner.
Pepito, the North District’s top councilor-elect from Kusug, indicated at a news forum his willingness to support Archival’s projects.
Several councilors in Barug and Kusug were previously affiliated with BOPK. For instance, Dave Tumulak (Kusug-Panaghiusa) and Phillip Zafra (Partido Barug) began their political careers with BOPK, leading to suggestions they might support initiatives from Mayor-elect Archival. / JPS