Council resets reorganization

CEBU, Philippines - This as the council did not tackle the plan to strip some members of their chairmanships of committees after they bolted the majority party – Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) – and allied with Mayor Michael Rama.

Retained

One of those, who have been identified to have shifted to Rama’s camp, however, has been assured to keep his chairmanship of the committee on health and hospital services.

Councilor Ronald Cuenco, son of former South District Rep. Antonio Cuenco, has been identified as one of those who are supportive of Rama, thus excluded from BOPK.

The councilor has not officially resigned from BOPK, but with his father affiliating with Rama, it is considered that he too has bolted his party.

Councilor Cuenco has also stopped attending the gatherings of the BOPK councilors including the caucus prior to the weekly session.

Cuenco has admitted that he was already informed by fellow city legislators Alvin Dizon, Raul Alcoseba and Richard “Ritchie” Osmeña that he will stay as chairman of the health and hospital committee.

The three other councilors — Edgardo Labella, Jose Daluz III and Eduardo “Edu” Rama will be stripped of their committee chairmanships.

Aside from being the council’s majority floor leader, Labella is also the chairman of the committee on laws, ordinances, accountability and good government.

Daluz is the chairman of the committee on agriculture and Rama heads the committee on public services.

Cuenco said he is thankful to his colleagues, who have allowed him to keep his chairmanship.

“I will assure them that I will never use my position as chairman of the health and hospital committee for partisan politics, but their continued trust and confidence to me will boost my desire to serve more the public,” Cuenco said.

When asked by The Freeman whether he has plans to remain with the BOPK, Cuenco refused to answer.

Even Cebu City South district Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña earlier described Cuenco to be good, but the only issue is that he is a son of former congressman Cuenco, who is presently the secretary general of the Asian Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Postponed

The postponement of the reorganization was due to Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young sitting as acting mayor as Rama is in Yokohama, Japan.

When they resume their session the week after next, Labella would be replaced by Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. as majority floor leader.

Councilors Leah Ouano-Japson and Alcoseba would assume as assistant majority floor leader for the north and south, respectively.

The city council will also create the position of minority floor leader, who will be allowed to sit as member of all committees.

Daluz said they will choose among themselves, who will be appointed as minority floor leader. —/NLQ (FREEMAN)