CEBU, Philippines – Newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, who included opposition barangay captains Jose Navarro of Punta Princesa and Eugenio Gabuya Jr. of Cogon Pardo, took their oath of office at the Cebu City Social Hall yesterday.
Mayor Michael Rama, who swore in the new officials, said that even those who are not allied with the administration's Bando Osmena-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) group were invited for the oath taking.
"Wala'y oposisyon ug administrasyon aning atong gihimo. Ang serbisyo gyud ang motigbabaw," Rama told the newly elected barangay and SK officials.
During the mass swearing in ceremony, Rama exhorted the barangay officials to set aside political difference in favor of their duty to serve the people and the pursuit of development.
The mayor likewise told them to instill in their minds that they were not placed in the position because of themselves but because of the will of the people who voted for them.
"Ang importante nga kinahanglan natong hinumduman nga dili tungod kanato nganong naa kita karon diri aning posisyon kun dili tungod sa mga tawo nga nagpili kanato," he said.
Proof to this is the presence of Navarro and Gabuya, who went straight to the legislative building's social hall to take their oath before Rama. They were with the members of their respective barangay councils.
Navarro and Gabuya said they chose to be administered before Rama because they were invited by the mayor.
"Dili man siya madinumtanon," Navarro said.
Navarro and Gabuya belong to the Kugi Uswag Sugbo party of former mayor Alvin Garcia. They both ran in the last May elections for the city council's seat but lost.
Rama administered the oath of office to 40 barangays whole day yesterday and the additional 40 barangays will be continued today.
The mayor said he even sent an invitation to Barangay Lahug, the known opposition bailiwick dominated by then barangay captain and now councilwoman Mary Ann delos Santos. The same thing with Sambag I barangay captain Jerry Guardo, also a known opposition stalwart.
Delos Santos and Guardo, who ran but lost for representative and councilor, respectively in the May elections, are expected to be sworn in before Rama this morning.
"This is not selective," Rama said, adding that he will not care whether or not the opposition will remain to be an opposition saying that "there is a need for a devil's advocate, which makes democracy alive." (FREEMAN)