Farewells among council members exhibited camaraderie
In the sceney final session of the 16th Cebu City Council on June 25, 2025, the atmosphere was unlike the usual squabbles over resolutions and ordinances. Instead, councilors from opposing political parties exchanged heartfelt greetings and embraces, ushering in a newly found camaraderie as their terms came to an end.
The session, marked by outgoing councilors delivering their privilege speeches, saw Councilors Jocelyn Pesquera, Noel Wenceslao, Jerry Guardo, Rey Gealon, Donaldo Hontiveros, and Mayor-elect Nestor Archival express their gratitude towards their fellow councilors, and congratulate those who were reelected. The other outgoing councilors include James Anthony Cuenco, Joy Augustus Young, Mary Ann delos Santos, and Renato Osmenña.
As the councilors bid their goodbyes, some shared their future plans while reflecting on their accomplishments. Pesquera, the Majority Floor Leader, took pride in her significant legislative output, having authored 116 ordinances and 2,400 resolutions during her term. She revealed her plans to return to practicing law and write a book focusing on local taxation and the zoning ordinance, legislative areas she found both exciting and challenging.
Mental health advocate Mary Ann de los Santos, on the other hand, intends to take time for herself after her political career, with no concrete plans yet but focused on self-rediscovery. De los Santos acknowledged that there is still life outside politics, and she's looking forward to it. Wenceslao, meanwhile, has plans to build a small business and attend to personal needs, hinting at stepping back from government service to recharge after his "off-season" from politics.
The 16th council, with a total of 117 ordinances passed as of June 25, according to a summary report from the legislative body, saw a significant number of ordinances either lapse into law without executive approval or had unclear status due to the absence of the mayor's signature. The council formally honored outgoing Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr., and other councilors who completed their third terms, recognizing their dedicated service.
In the heart of Cebu's political arena, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, having concluded her term, announced her intention to resume her legal practice and write a book on local taxation and zoning ordinance. Meanwhile, mental health advocate Mary Ann delos Santos voiced her desire for self-discovery after leaving politics. Councilor Noel Wenceslao, on the other hand, shared his plans to venture into business and tend to personal matters, potentially taking a break from government service.
