Rama swears in new brgy chiefs

At least 65 newly elected officials of Cebu City’s 80 barangays took their oath of office before Mayor Michael Rama yesterday in a ceremony attended even by those allied with his political rival.

The ceremony came a day after leaders of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) administered the oath to their allies at the Beverly View on Sunday afternoon.

Councilor Margot Osmeña said that 37 barangay captains allied with the BO-PK took their oath before Cebu City Representatives Raul del Mar and Rodrigo Abellanosa.

Some BO-PK allied barangay captains who were sworn in on Sunday also attended the ceremony presided over by Rama.

“They (some barangay captains) spoke to Tommy but he said you just go. Anyway this will be for the people of your barangays,” Councilor Osmeña said.

BO-PK allies who attended Rama’s ceremony which was held at the legislative social building came from barangays Cogon Pardo, Pasil, Bulacao, Buhisan, Sudlon II, Pulangbato, Paril, Budlaan, Carreta, Hipodromo, Sirao, Mabini and Mabolo.

Oath-taking for south district barangay officials was scheduled in the morning while those from the north district were scheduled in the afternoon.

Rama said he does not want to make an issue of those who did not accept his invitation.

He said that he does not want to think of numbers. The mayor earlier said that he now has majority of the city’s 80 barangay captains with a total of 41 of them under Team Rama.

Rama will leave the interpretation of the attendance of barangay officials during his mass oath-taking ceremony to former councilors Jose Daluz III and Edu Rama and his cousin Basak San Nicolas barangay captain George Rama. /Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters