Adlaon barangay captain latest to defect to BOPK

A known ally of the opposition in the mountain barangay in Cebu City has decided to join the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), the political party of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Adlaon Barangay Captain Nieves Narra, who was previously identified with Barug Team Rama, took her oath before Osmeña last Monday.

Only Barangay Councilors Pedrillo Leyson, Gemma Arcayan and Lodelito Gabud joined Narra during the oath-taking, as the other councilors already took their oath before the mayor last week.

In a phone interview, Narra said she decided to join BOPK for the best interest of her barangay.

“Vox populi”

“This is what our constituents want. They have been asking me to transfer to the administration so that we will have our own share of projects, including the repair of our road,” she said.

Narra said it took her a while to decide since she was a longtime member of Barug Team Rama. She said she asked for former mayor Michael Rama’s permission to switch allegiance to BOPK.

With her defection, BOPK has 54 barangay captains, while Barug Team Rama has 26.

When sought for comment, Rama said he was not surprised by the development since the administration has been pressuring opposition barangay captains to join them.

Rama said Osmeña’s allies, particularly former councilor Lea Japson, who now heads the Department of Social Welfare and Services, had been convincing Narra to join BOPK.

“Narra has been telling me that even before. She didn’t want to transfer but they (BOPK) have been intimidating them, including those barangay captains who have businesses,” he said. /