BOPK Elected City Councilors Pledge Loyalty to Party

All newly-elected Cebu City legislators who are allied with the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK) have pledged to their leader that they will never abandon their group.

There were rumors circulating at the City Hall that at least four BOPK city councilors are planning to jump to Team Rama after Mayor Michael Rama has been reelected to his position.

Although BOPK Founder and Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña said he will not stop if some of his allied councilors will transfer to the opposite camp, but the BOPK councilors said they will not jump to the other group.

Those who promised to remain loyal with the BOPK are Nestor Archival, Alvin Arcilla, Sisinio Andales, Lea Japson, Alvin Dizon, Nida Cabrera of the city’s north district.

Other city councilors who remain loyal to BOPK are Gerardo Carillo, Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Roberto Cabarrubias, Richard Osmena and the lawmaker’s wife Margarita “Margot” Osmeña.

Even those candidates who did not make it in the elections like Zenaida Amores, Michael Ralota and Gabriel Leyson still pledged allegiance and support to the BOPK.

Outgoing Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said that the rumors about the transfer of the BOPK councilors to the other camp is just an intrigue.

“I have no problem with that. I am used to starting from scratch. If they decide to join the other party, then that’s fine. It’s a chance for new ones,” Osmena said.

Vice mayor-elect Edgardo Labella said he will talk to his fellow councilors and will try to convince them to support the programs of the administration, which is for the good of the public.

“I will talk to them, not necessarily to convince them to join our party. Political affiliation is nothing. We are foremost Cebuanos and we should help Cebu City,” Labella said.