The week before the filing of COC

This week we’ve given an interesting sight of the political developments in Cebu City. It has now become clear which side of the political fence the city councilors are standing on. In the past months, all we saw was speculation. Not now anymore.

In an apparent hype of a snowball, on September 23, this year, some incumbent councilors, who all ran under Barug-Team Rama, jumped ship and officially joined Kusug (Kugi Uswag Sugbu) of Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia. The councilors include Renato “Junjun” Osmeña, Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr., Rey Gealon, James Anthony Cuenco, Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella II. Joel Garganera has been with Kusug for a long time now.

Not to be outdone, Barug-Team Rama of Mayor Michael L. Rama presented its “probable candidates” at Casino Español the following day before a sea of yellow and green colors. Present were Councilors Francis, Joy Pesquera, Eleuterio Wenceslao, Philip Zafra, SK Federation Chairperson Rhea Jakosalem, ABC President Franklyn Ong and Acting Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros.

What left others confused was why there were more candidates presented than the number of slots to be filled. In other words, there should only eight candidates for councilors for each of the two districts in Cebu City. Barug presented more than eight for each district.

The public was also left guessing as to who will be Mayor Mike Rama’s vice mayor.

There is no doubt that Ong’s presence added weight and enthusiasm to the event. It would be foolhardy for any group to discount the man. He has a working relationship with the barangay captains. He has formed the Bag-ong Sugbu Movement. When it comes to resources nobody argues that Ong cannot be left behind.

BOPK (Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan), for its part, has not yet shown its public show of force. But we know already that being an established political aggrupation, BOPK has little need to prove its presence. Its pillars remain visible, namely: former Mayor Tomas Osmeña, former Congressman Bebot Abellanosa, and Councilor Nestor Archival. It looks like the group has not yet completed its slate, particularly for councilors. The thing to watch is this: with what was once a formidable Barug-Panaghiusa-Kusug alliance now divided and severely wounded, BOPK’s core of longtime, solid supporters may spell the difference this coming election and will catapult once again the BOPK at the corridors of power in City Hall. It would be a steep climb, but politics has a lot of surprises.

The Panaghiusa of MCWD Chairman Joey Daluz seems to have lost steam despite its years of organizing. Lately, Daluz was seen seated beside Acting Mayor Garcia in a concert dubbed “Cebu Now Na.” Many still think it sealed the alliance between Kusug and Panaghiusa for the 2025 election.

But do not be hasty with your conclusion. Daluz was also present when, months ago, Rama summoned individuals who have an interest in running for a possible political post in 2025. Daluz gesture of being able to stand with Rama or Garcia in an event shows his diplomatic bent and political acuity. His rumored tandem is that of former Councilor Dave Tumulak, a political heavyweight in his own right. He surprised not a few when deprived of resources and organization, he got more than one hundred thousand votes when he ran for mayor in 2022.

Next week, let us see who will finally file their certificate of candidacy. We know that in politics, changes can be done within a blink of an eye.