The members and officers of the Kugi, Uswag, Sugbo (Kusug) political celebration in Cebu Metropolis have formally taken their oath on Monday, Sept. 23. | CDN Digital photograph/Niña Mae Oliverio
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Outgoing Cebu Metropolis Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has assured the general public that the six Kusug–Panaghiusa councilors-elect is not going to act as obstructionists within the incoming administration, regardless of his loss within the latest mayoral race.
“We aren’t obstructionists,” Garcia mentioned in a press convention on Might 19.
“I instructed the councilors to cooperate, kay kalamboan man atong precedence. On the finish of the day, ang atong ganahan [is] kalamboan sa syudad sa Sugbo,” he added.
(I instructed the councilors to cooperate, as a result of our precedence is progress. On the finish of the day, what we like is the progress of town of Cebu.)
Garcia, who ran underneath the Kugi, Uswag Sugbo–Panaghiusa (Kusug) coalition, misplaced to Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) mayoral candidate and outgoing Minority Flooring Chief Nestor Archival Sr. within the Might 12 midterm elections.
READ: Raymond Garcia concedes, pledges assist for Mayor-elect Archival
Now making ready to return to non-public life, Garcia mentioned he had accepted the end result.
“Life has to go on. I’ve a household to handle. I’ve different companies I can now give attention to… Mura man unhappy tag wala napildi sa una. It should sting at first, however you get better. Importante magpadayon atong serbisyo, possibly in my very own personal methods,” he mentioned.
(Life has to go on. I’ve a household to handle. I’ve different companies I can now give attention to…I’ve misplaced earlier than you recognize. It should sting at first, however you get better. What’s essential is you proceed to serve, possibly in my very own personal methods.)
Regardless of the electoral setback, Garcia mentioned the Kusug-Panaghiusa alliance stays a related political power, with six of its candidates successful seats within the 16-member Cebu Metropolis Council.
He mentioned this may give the group a voice in laws and a platform to advance their coverage priorities.
“At the least naa mi sa (At the least we’re nonetheless within the) Metropolis Council, we will nonetheless make our voices heard and push for what we consider in,” he added.
READ: Nestor Archival topples Mike Rama, Raymond Garcia in Cebu Metropolis
Primarily based on the official Certificates of Canvass from the Fee on Elections (Comelec), Kusug secured 4 council seats within the first district and two within the second district.
The successful councilors are Winston Pepito, Harold Kendrick Go, Jaypee Labella, and Joel Garganera from the primary district, and Dave Tumulak and Jun Alcover from the second district.
The remaining council seats have been gained by six candidates from BOPK and 4 from Partido Barug, which has now been relegated to the minority after beforehand dominating the sixteenth Metropolis Council.
BOPK’s councilors-elect are Niña “Good” Archival, Alvin Arcilla, and Bebs Andales from the primary district; and Paul Labra, Jose Abellanosa, and Michelle Abella from the second district.
Barug’s remaining seats are held by Phillip Zafra, Francis Esparis, Mikel Rama, and Harry Eran.
This new composition marks a big realignment within the Cebu Metropolis Council following the victory of Archival as mayor and Tomas Osmeña as vice mayor.
With Kusug and BOPK every securing six seats, their mixed 12-member bloc is now poised to guide the legislative agenda and key committee chairmanships.
Observers say this political shift opens the door for potential collaboration between Kusug and BOPK, particularly given their shared distance from Barug and their aligned positions on a number of coverage points.
Partido Barug, which beforehand held the bulk underneath then-Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, now finds itself within the minority. Hontiveros misplaced his vice mayoral bid to Osmeña in the identical election.
The council’s reorganization additionally follows the defeat of a number of veteran Barug figures, together with former majority flooring chief Jocelyn Pesquera and assistant flooring chief James Cuenco.
Garcia mentioned he was retaining his political choices open however remained dedicated to serving to town in no matter manner he may.
“My future is up within the air. However I shall be one of many supporters of this new administration. Basta ang tumong, kalamboan sa siyudad (So long as our goal is for the progress of town).”
The ultimate composition of the Metropolis Council should shift following the upcoming barangay elections, which can decide the ex-officio seats for representatives from the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and the Affiliation of Barangay Councils.
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