Kusug-Barug alliance forms majority bloc in Cebu City Council

Local

THE NEW Cebu City Council has been formed, and the administration’s Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) isn’t in the majority.

The 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod officially convened on Tuesday, July 8, and despite Mayor Nestor Archival Sr.’s victory under BOPK, it was the Kusug and Partido Barug alliance that asserted majority control over the legislative body.

Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, also of BOPK, presided over the inaugural session but found himself and his allies in the minority bloc.

Councilor Philip Zafra (Barug) was elected President Pro Tempore, while Dave Tumulak (Kusug) was named Majority Floor Leader, alongside Joel Garganera and Pancrasio Esparis as assistant majority leaders.

Representing BOPK, Sisinio “Bebs” Andales was designated Minority Floor Leader, with Alvin Arcilla as assistant minority leader.

Tensions surfaced early in the session when Andales raised a question on which bloc constituted the majority.

Zafra responded by asking if the inquiry was a motion for reconsideration of the already-approved leadership structure.

Andales clarified that he was merely raising the question for clarity and later withdrew it.

The current Council is a mix of members from three groups—Kusug, Partido Barug, and BOPK—with Kusug-Barug now holding the numbers to dominate the committee chairmanships and legislative agenda.

Despite holding the executive branch, BOPK finds itself legislatively outnumbered.

Still, Archival struck a tone of inclusion and shared governance in his first address before the Council.

“Even if coming from different colors, atuang siguraduon nga magkahiusa ta in making Cebu City number one,” Archival said, as he laid down a 10-point executive agenda that includes healthcare, digital governance, food security, housing, traffic solutions, and environmental reforms.

He also revealed that Cebu City spends P58.5 million per day on salaries and highlighted the need for efficient use of public funds and a review of department functions.

“Siguraduhon nato nga ang kwarta sa mga taxpayer magamit og tarong,” he said.

In a show of legislative dominance, the Kusug-Barug majority secured top positions in the Council’s 28 standing committees, including:

Budget and Finance – Dave Tumulak (Chair), Edgardo Labella (Vice Chair)

Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy – Joel Garganera (Chair), Mikel Rama (Vice Chair)

Markets – Pastor Alcover (Chair), Joel Garganera (Vice Chair)

Laws, Ordinances, and Styling – Mikel Rama (Chair), Philip Zafra (Vice Chair)

Public Services – Harry Eran (Chair), Winston Pepito (Vice Chair)

Health and Sanitation – Michelle Abella (Chair), Joel Garganera (Vice Chair)

Education, Science and Technology – Tomas Osmeña (Chair), Philip Zafra (Vice Chair)

Tourism and Sister Cities – Nestor Archival (Chair), Edgardo Labella (Vice Chair)

The committee on Education was the lone chairmanship awarded to the minority bloc, headed by Osmeña.

Vice Mayor Osmeña used his inaugural speech to push back against privatization and POGO operations in Cebu City.

He renewed calls to amend seven resolutions that allowed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to enter the city and criticized the joint venture agreement with Megawide Construction Corp. for the Carbon Market redevelopment.

“Megawide must go. Urban people are not for sale,” Osmeña declared, saying he would push for legislation to protect urban poor communities and Carbon market vendors.

“I don’t demand your respect,” he added. “I’m proud to be an ordinary Cebuano.”

Despite being in the minority, BOPK officials signaled readiness to work with the council for the benefit of the public.

Archival, for his part, said leadership “can be shared,” and called on councilors, regardless of affiliation, to contribute to building a “responsive and efficient” City Hall.

“What matters more is how we remain consistent,” he said. “And above all, it must be inclusive.”(TGP)