Skip to content
general-news — Elections — Cebu — Politics

Emerging Council Scenario: No Dominant Political Party; Potential Formation of New Alliances, Predicts Raymond

Expecting coalition building in Cebu City Council as no dominant political party holds majority

,   and  ASMedia
2 min read
Political parties fall short of gaining a decisive majority in the incoming Cebu City Council,...
Political parties fall short of gaining a decisive majority in the incoming Cebu City Council, setting the stage for the formation of new alliances.

Emerging Council Scenario: No Dominant Political Party; Potential Formation of New Alliances, Predicts Raymond

In the aftermath of the 2025 local elections, the Cebu City Council is poised to witness shifting alliances, as no single political party has secured a clear majority. The incoming council, set to commence its term on June 30, will comprise six members from Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), six from Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia's Kusug-Panaghiusa Coalition, and four from Partido Barug, led by former mayor Michael Rama.

This distribution prevents any party from holding a simple majority in the council, thereby necessitating the formation of alliances. The potential swing votes could come from ex-officio councilors: Franklyn Ong from the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) and Rhea Jakosalem from the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation.

BOPK councilors are Niza Archival, Alvin Arcilla, Bebs Andales, Paul Labra, Jose Abellanosa, and Michelle Abelle. Representing Kusug-Panaghiusa are Winston Pepito, Harold Go, Edgardo "Jaypee" Labella II, Joel Garganera, Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr., and Dave Tumulak. The four Partido Barug councilors are Phillip Zafra, Mikel Rama, Francis Esparis, and Harry Eran.

The absence of a clear majority makes alliances crucial for any party to dominate the council proceedings. During the inaugural session, councilors will elect officers, including majority and minority floor leaders and committee chairmen. In a privilege speech, Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr. commended Mayor Garcia and Mayor-elect Nestor Archival for their "politically matured" approach during a transition meeting.

Garcia reiterated his commitment to supporting councilors from his coalition, even if they align with other parties. However, he emphasized that the selection of council officers and committee members is an internal matter for the legislative body.While BOPK and Kusug-Panaghiusa have equal representation, there is speculation they might negotiate with Partido Barug or collaborate with the ex-officio councilors to gain an advantage.

  1. The Cebu City Council, following the 2025 local elections, will require political alliances due to a lack of a clear majority, as no single political party, including Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) and Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia's Kusug-Panaghiusa Coalition, secure a simple majority.
  2. The incoming council members, such as Niza Archival from BOPK and Winston Pepito from Kusug-Panaghiusa, will play significant roles as potential swing votes, influencing the outcome of policy-and-legislation discussions.
  3. As the councilors elect officers, including majority and minority floor leaders and committee chairmen, during the inaugural session, alliances among political parties, like BOPK, Kusug-Panaghiusa, and Partido Barug, could have a significant impact on the general news and political landscape of Cebu City.

Read also:

Related

Latest