It’s all in the family affair in Kamagayan

The Avila family continued its political dominance of barangay Kamagayan in Cebu City with their matriarch, Raquel Avila, getting elected as the new barangay chairperson while four family members will sit in the seven-man Sangguniang Barangay.

Raquel’s husband, Rene topped the race for councilman. Rene’s father, Mansueto or Tito followed at second place.

Rene’s brother, Diogenes also won a council seat. Mansueto’s brother Celestino Avila, the outgoing barangay captain, will slide down as councilman after winning a seat in the polls.

Completing the council race winners were Rolando Pilapil, Norberto Diaz, and Rico Ramirez.

Regional Director Ananias Villacorta of the Department of Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas (DILG-7) said the Avilas did not violate any laws since there is no law against political dynasties. Prior to her election as barangay chairperson, Raquel served the barangay as a councilwoman for 11 years.

Kamagayan gained the reputation as Cebu City’s red light district. But Raquel said prostitution in the area is no longer rampant.

Mansueto, the longest serving Avila of the barangay said they have a nine-year plan to develop Kamagayan which they will start to implement when their term begins on Dec. 1.

Mansueto started serving the barangay as a tanod in 1982. He was then elected as a councilman and became a barangay chairman.

Celestino served three consecutive terms as barangay chairman while Rene and Diogenes are first-timers. Barangay Kamagayan has 2,114 voters. Correspondent Bjorn Abraham Tabanera