Opposition shows force: Group remains strong - Rama

CEBU, Philippines — A united Barug Team Rama - Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino Laban was the message the group wanted to show as it sworn in newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials in Cebu City.

“We are one and no one (can bring us down), that one in City Hall can never bring us all down. He can never bring us down,” said the group’s head, former mayor Michael Rama, referring to Mayor Tomas Osmeña

The taking of oath took place at the Grand Convention Center with around 500 barangay and SK officials participating.

“We must be one, all of us must be one...We should be one because we are one. Together, we can make things happen in Cebu City,” Rama said.

The recent barangay and SK elections changed the political landscape in Cebu City – at least in the barangay level – with 49 of 80 winning barangay captains coming from the mayor’s group, the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

Prior to the polls, BOPK only had 15 allied barangay captains. The rest were allied with the opposition, Barug Team Rama-PDP Laban.

Rama thanked the barangay officials who remain loyal to the group.

Present during the event were Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Councilors Jocelyn Pesquera, Joel Garganera, Eduardo Rama Jr., Raymond Alvin Garcia, Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr., Jose Daluz III, Renato “Junjun” Osmeña Jr., and Philip Zafra.

Former South District Rep. Antonio Cuenco, the father of suspended councilor James Anthony Cuenco, was also present at the event.

Labella said he is hopeful that none of the current group members will shift allegiances but said they will respect decisions should this happen.

“We can never prevent that but hopefully, after this oath taking, wala na siguro but ug naa man gani, di ta kapugong. That’s their decision,” he said.

He reiterated that his group in the City Council will always uphold the principle of check and balance. He said they are not obstructionists – contrary to the mayor’s allegation – because they have supported several of his programs and projects.

“We supported the mayor. Budget, 93-1 , we supported the mayor, his desire to have the South Road Properties sold at least P110,000 by way of an ordinance,” he said.

Zafra, the president of the Association of Barangay Councils, also said he is thankful to the barangay officials who remain allies.

“Mapasalamaton ko sa wala gyud mibali bisan man sa tamparos sa hangin ug sa mga ingon ta nga panghaylo sa kasamtangang naglingkod karon sa City Hall,” he said.

Zafra said the barangay officials should serve as role models to the SK officials in upholding word of honor.

To recall, after the recent elections, at least three barangays decided to jumpship to BOPK – Guba, Day-as, and Bulacao. — /JMO (FREEMAN)