ALL barangay officials, regardless of their political color, have been invited by Mayor Michael Rama to take their oaths of office at the City Hall on Friday.
Those who cannot come of Friday, can come to City Hall anytime before December 1 to take their oaths of office, said Mayor Rama, who explained he does not harbor ill-feeling to barangay officials who supported his political rivals.
“What’s important is that the mayor is offering the City Hall as venue and that I’m open to everyone who would want to take their oath of office before me,” Rama said.
Rama added that supporters of his political rival can even go to the oath-taking wearing the blue and yellow shirt of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).
After the barangay elections, Rama was elated to have majority of the city’s 80 barangay captains. He claims that at least 41 barangay captains are his supporters.
Friday’s oath-taking is set at the Plaza Sugbo in front of the city hall’s Legislative Building. Considering the number of barangay officials from the city’s 80 barangays, the oath-taking will done in two batches, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
In case of rains, the ceremony will be done in the city hall’s lobby or at the social hall of the Legislative Building.
Rama said they are still finalizing schedules on which barangay captains will take their oaths of office in the morning, and those who will do so in the afternoon.
Also, the mayor said they are already in the process of choosing their bet for president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC). The ABC president sits as an ex officio member of the City Council. The current ABC president and Councilor Michael Ralota is closely identified with the BOPK. His term as barangay captain of T. Padilla will expire on November 30.
“There are already names but I can’t reveal it yet. From five names we’ll lower it down to one,” Rama said.
He added that experience is needed for the candidate that they will endorse.
“Experience counts a lot. Being in ABC, you have to have a stand and be able to defend it. The track record should also be considered,” Rama said. /Jose Santino Bunachita, Correspondent