Power shifts at city council

CEBU, Philippines — Shifts in chairmanships and changes in committee memberships marked the Cebu City 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod's annual organizational restructuring, which also left Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña without any committee chairmanship.

Osmeña, who previously headed the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, now concentrates solely on his role as presiding officer. He was replaced by Liga ng mga Barangay President Franklyn Ong while continuing to oversee barangay affairs.

The reorganization also elevated neophyte Councilor Winston Pepito, who secured the majority's nod to become the new majority floor leader, replacing David Tumulak. Both Pepito and Tumulak belong to the same political party.

Councilor Joel Garganera retained his post as first assistant majority floor leader, while Pancresio "Francis" Esparis remained second assistant majority floor leader.

Councilor Philip Zafra continues as President Pro Tempore, with Sisinio Andales holding the position of minority floor leader and Alvin Arcilla serving as assistant minority floor leader.

Pepito's rise came with added responsibilities. He is now also the chairman of the scholarship committee, previously handled by Zafra, as well as the LGBT and Family Affairs Committee, formerly chaired by ex-officio member Rhea Jakosalem.

He also retained his chairmanship of the Committee on Transportation.

Councilor Harold Go, meanwhile, took over the Committee on Labor, Employment, Cooperatives and Livelihood from Mikel Rama, complementing his existing chairmanships of the Committees on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship and Urban Planning.

Councilor Tumulak retained the Committee on Budget and Finance and the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction, Safety and Climate Change. He was also given the chairmanship of the Health Committee, which was previously held by Michelle Cellona.

Rama continues to lead the Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Styling, while Councilor Pastor Alcover remains at the helm of the Committees on Senior Citizens Affairs, Markets, Games and Amusement, and Agriculture and Rural Development.

Other committees remained with their current chairpersons: Esparis on Social Services, Jakosalem on Youth and Sports Development, Harry Eran on Public Services, Edgardo Labella II on Infrastructure, Garganera on Environment and Energy, and Zafra on Animal Welfare and House Rules.

Minority bloc members also retained their committee chairmanships, with Paul Labra on Public Order, Nyza Archival on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sister Cities Relations, and the Big Brother Program.

Cellona, on the other hand, along with Arcilla, Andales, and Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa, who are all members of the minority bloc, now stand without any committee chairmanships following the reorganization. — (FREEMAN)