Tumulak confirms jumping from Team Rama to BOPK

After several months of being independent, Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak confirmed that he is now with Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), if the group will accept him.

The move will increase the number of BOPK members in the City Council even more after Mayor Tomas Osmeña confirmed that Councilor Nendel Hanz Abella is also with them now.

Abella, who was still in Manila yesterday, has yet to issue a statement to SunStar Cebu on the matter, despite several calls to him.

In an interview yesterday, Tumulak said he made the decision a month ago after he observed that the administration of Osmeña is more on improvement of the City than running after controversies.

“They are more focusing on how to improve the city, especially in the basic services, and my advocacy is the same advocacy with the mayor, especially main- taining public order and safety,” Tumulak told reporters.

Tumulak said he saw the eagerness of Osmeña when it comes to serving the city residents, particularly during the last Sinulog.

Tumulak said service to the people should be the top priority of public officials.

Despite his announcement of joining BOPK, Tumulak said he is willing to take a stand in the council, particularly on public issues.

“Let’s set aside political differences. But if there are party decisions that can’t benefit the city, I will not vote,” he said.

Osmeña, for his part, said BOPK has long accepted Tumulak.

He, however, clarified that he never asked anyone to pledge allegiance to the group since he only wanted them to work for the people.

As to the challenge of Councilor James Cuenco that he and Abella clear out everything as the

Let’s set aside political differences. But if there are party decisions that can’t benefit the city, I will not vote. COUNCILOR DAVE TUMULAK

administration has now claimed to be the majority, Tumulak said he will not accept it.

“I will only accept it when we can see that they will come to City Hall every day. Cuenco only comes to City Hall once a week to attend the session. I come to City Hall every day and go on field on weekends. Now, I challenge them to do the same,” he said.

Osmeña also told reporters that he was once invited to visit the residence of the Cuenco family, where the councilor expressed that he will be joining BOPK.

He said Cuenco wants to run as vice mayor under BOPK in the next elections, but he told him it is the group that will decide.

At present, BOPK has nine councilors, including Tumulak, Abella, Margarita Osmeña, Sisinio Andales, Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Joy Augustus Young, Alvin Arcilla, Mary Ann delos Santos and Jerry Guardo.

Team Rama, on the other hand, has eight councilors, including Cuenco, Pastor Alcover, Jose Daluz III, Eduardo Rama, Raymond Garcia, Joy Pesquera, Philip Zafra and Joel Garganera.