THE oathtaking of Partido Kusug members, led by outgoing Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, signals a “possible” City Council majority.
This possibility was raised by Garcia in an interview following Kusug’s oath-taking ceremony on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Plaza Sugbu.
Garcia said that members of Partido Barug and Kusug have remained friends despite the breakup of their coalition during the May 2025 polls.
“We were really one party before; we just ran under different parties in 2025. But that does not mean we are no longer friends; we still share the same principles,” said the outgoing mayor.
However, Garcia did not confirm any council majority yet, as the election of committee members among the councilors is scheduled for Wednesday, July 4.
“This is already a very good indication that our camaraderie with Congressman Edu (Rama) and our colleagues is excellent,” he said.
Garcia affirmed that members of both parties have been meeting to discuss their respective committee assignments.
When asked whether invitations were sent to the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), led by Mayor-elect Nestor Archival, Garcia said there were none, as they had already taken their oaths of office on Thursday, June 26.
On Saturday, reelected councilors Pastor Alcover Jr., Joel Garganera, and Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella Jr. took their oaths, along with councilors-elect Winston Pepito, Harold Go and Dave Tumulak, at Plaza Sugbu in front of City Hall.
“We also invited Barug; we didn’t send invitations to those who had already taken their oath,” he explained.
North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar also took her oath of office, administered by Garcia.
Outgoing councilors James Anthony Cuenco and Rey Gealon were present, along with South District Representative Rama and Association of Barangay Councils President Franklyn Ong.
Some councilors from Partido Barug, under former mayor Michael Rama, also witnessed the ceremony. Present were Councilor Pancrasio Esparis and Councilor-elect Harry Eran.
The incoming council has a 6-6-6 bloc composition:
Kusug: Alcover, Garganera, Labella, Pepito, Go and Tumulak;
Barug: Eran, Esparis, Ong, Mikel Rama, Phillip Zafra and Sangguniang Kabataan President Rhea Mae Jakosalem; and
BOPK: Paul Labra, Nyza Archival, Jose Abellanosa, Alvin Arcilla, Bebs Andales and Michelle Abella.
In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor-elect Ma. Cynthia King-Chan and Congressman-elect Junard Chan officially took their oath of office at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gunob on Saturday afternoon.
The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Nelson Layco.
The event began with a holy mass attended by over 5,000 individuals from various sectors, including the urban poor community, barangay health workers and solo parents. The formal ceremony was led by the Team Kaabag slate, headed by the incoming mayor and congressman, who promised a transparent and progressive administration.
Cynthia Chan, transitioning to her new role as local executive chief, vowed in her opening speech to improve healthcare services and enhance the capacity of the City District Hospital.
She also highlighted plans to improve the education sector, the cleanliness of the public market in Barangay Poblacion and the construction of a new City Hall that “will be inclusive and more accessible to the elderly and persons with disabilities.”
Her husband Junard, in his speech, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance, transparency and public service.
Incumbent Vice Mayor Celedonio Sitoy also took his oath, along with all 11 incumbent councilors from Team Kaabag who were sworn in.
The following individuals, listed in order of votes received, will serve as city councilors: Marciano “Jun” Alforque, Annabeth Cuizon, Susan Baring, Celestino “Tino” Aying, Jan Vincent “Janvi” Dela Serna, Efren Herrera, Ariane Yap, Climaco “Montor” Tatoy Jr., Jeorgen Eyas-Book, Joseph Pangatungan and Emilio “Dok” Galaroza Jr.
The only new addition to the council is former Canjulao barangay captain Rufo Bering, who joined the team as the sole non-incumbent among the winners. / JPS, DPC