BOPK-allied elected barangay officials take oath

CEBU, Philippines - All newly elected barangay officials in Cebu City who are allies of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) have taken their oath yesterday.

The oath taking of the 39 barangay captains and over a hundred councilmen were officiated by North District Rep. Raul del Mar and South District Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa at Beverly View in Beverly Hills, Cebu City.

Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña said he would not take against his allies if they will tap Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

“Many will cooperate with him (Rama) because they (barangay officials) need projects and not because they love him,” Osmeña said.

Also, present during the oath taking were former North District Rep. Cutie del Mar, former vice-mayor Joy Augustus Young, city councilors Nida Cabrera, Lea Japson,  Richie Osmeña,  Margarita Osmeña,  Noel Wenceslao, Sisinio Andales, Gerardo Carillo, Michael Ralota, Alvin Arcilla and Eugenio Gabuya.

Osmeña reminded the barangay officials to always set aside political grudge and selfishness for the general welfare of the people.

“Let us have a strong commitment to the city by providing guidance and direction to the constituents of Cebu City,” Osmeña added.

Young also reiterated saying, “importante nga  ang katawhan ang atong serbisyohan.”

Del Mar told the barangay officials that they should never under estimate their roles as public servants, which the crowd highly agreed.

“Di mo makaminus sa inyong posisyon kay kamo ang mga front liners, kamoy nag-una sa serbisyo kay kami mo support lang ninyo. Kamo ang number one public officials of the country,”  Del Mar said.

Today, Team Rama allies who won the barangay election will also be taking their oath at Plaza Sugbo in front of Cebu City Hall.

Meanwhile, Kasambagan councilor Franklin Ong will seek re-election in next month’s Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines election.

Also, ex-officio councilor Ralota, incumbent president of the Association of Barangay Councils, suggested Capitol Site barangay chief Manuel Guanzon to Osmeña as their bet for ABC president.

Ralota’ s term will end on December 15.

Ralota, T. Padilla barangay captain, said Osmeña has yet to talk to Guanzon.

Team Rama’s barangay captain of Punta Princesa, Jose Navarro, earlier expressed his willingness to run as president for ABC while number one Kamputhaw councilor Raymond Garcia, son of former mayor Alvin Garcia, is also interested to run for BCLP.— /GMR (FREEMAN)