BOPK standard bearer: ‘I will not be Osmeña’s puppet’ — Archival

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival, Sr. assured that while it was former mayor Tomas Osmen?a who picked him as Bando Osmen?a Pundok Kauswagan’s (BOPK) standard bearer in the 2025 elections, he would not be beholden to him if he becomes mayor.

In a news forum yesterday, Archival reaffirmed his intent to run for the mayoral race, with Osmen?a as his running mate for vice mayor, and belied speculations he would just be the former mayor’s “puppet”.

“Wa ko kasabot nganong mahimo kong puppet. Unsa nang puppet? Og unsay isulti ni Tommy, maoy akong buhaton?” he said.

He said he knows what is expected of a city mayor and that the position is not entirely new to him.

“For the last six years nga siya (Osmen?a) ang mayor, nag-practice na man sad ko being a mayor in my own field,” Archival said of the time when Osmen?a gave him executive functions when he was also a city councilor.

He said he does not believe that Osmen?a would make selfish commands to him or tell him to make decisions that would be detrimental to the city or the people’s welfare.

“Moingon ba si Tommy nga ‘sige himoa ning project then tagai kog share’? No, I don’t think so,” Archival said.

He claimed that most programs currently being implemented in Cebu City right now are BOPK strategies, like the giving out of financial assistance to the senior citizens as well as the scholarship programs.

“Then muingon sila nga ‘mahimo kang puppet ni Tommy’. But wala man guroy gipanghimo si mayor Tommy nga bati,” Archival said.

He first announced his intent to run for mayor when he said “yes” to the challenge during Osmeña birthday celebration-cum political rally last July 30.

In the same event, it was also announced that former south district representative Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa will be the party's candidate for the same congressional seat while incumbent City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos will be the BOPK candidate for the north district congressional seat.

Archival’s slate includes former city councilors Alvin Arcilla and Alvin Dizon, City Councilor Sisinio Andales, and former Tejero barangay captain Jessilou Cadungog for the north district and Ian Osmena, JR Pepito, and retired police general Paul Labra for the south district.

Incumbent City Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa would seek a second term.

Archival said he wants to be personally remembered for the campaign promise “Trabaho para sa Masa, dili sa bulsa.”

“Ang prinsipyo gyud nga gitan-aw nato is the principle of family. Kaming mga, we call that as officials, or public officials, nga elected, kami maoy gitan-aw namo as elders; among constituents, among gitan-aw sila as members,” he said.

Archival said they have been making rounds already in the city’s 80 barangays and admitted that the BOPK barangay captains could not commit yet to his candidacy.

He said this is because the barangays captains do not want to compromise their current standing with the present Cebu City Government administration.

“Coz at the end of the day, kung masakpan nas mayor, sa tinuod lang, wala kay gasolina, wala kay krudo, kay wa kay mahatag nga assistance,” he claimed.

He did not specify, though, whom he was referring to. City Hall is currently helmed by Acting City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, as Mayor Michael Rama is currently serving a six-month preventive suspension since May 10. — (FREEMAN)