Issues brew as ABC polls get near
Controversies have started to emerge as newly elected barangay captains in Cebu City get ready for the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) election next month.
For one, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he received reports that Mabolo captain Niña Mabatid is planning to defect from his group, the Bando Osmeña – Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), and will reportedly run for ABC president.
Mabatid also reportedly asked Capitol Site captain Manuel Guanzon to be her running mate but Guanzon reportedly declined.
"Outside (she looks like with BOPK) but inside, she got all the intrigues. She asked Guanzon to be her vice. What does it mean?" Osmeña said.
Mabatid was reportedly seen hanging out with barangay captains allied with the opposition, Barug Team Rama PDP-Laban.
Speaking to The FREEMAN, Mabatid said she has not decided whether or not to run for the ABC, but emphasized she will remain with BOPK.
"I am a BOPK. It's gonna be mayor Tom's decision if he will let me remain as one. After all, it's his political party," she said.
"Basta kana si mayor Tommy, pinangga nako siya and he knows that. When he ran last 2016, I gave my heart and soul for his win. All the sleepless nights during the campaign as if I was the one running for public office. If ever there is animosity now because of this ABC thing, I just hope and pray that he will not be mad at me because I love and respect our mayor," she added.
On reports she was mingling with opposition captains, Mabatid said:
"Discussion about helping each other's barangays and to extend help to other barangays through projects. About our judicial power as BCs (barangay captains). ABC was discussed. We prefer no fractions among barangay captains because we are supposed to be one as a federation."
ABC PRESIDENT
The election of the ABC president is crucial because just like the federation president of the Sangguniang Kabataan, the ABC president will sit as ex-officio member of the Cebu City Council.
As member, he or she will have voting powers on projects the mayor may seek Council approval for. Will BOPK push for a candidate actively? Osmeña said, "Well, there's no selection, selection. It's just turning out by itself. It appears, this is all focus on this guy here, Franklyn Ong."
Ong is the barangay captain of Kasambagan. But should Mabatid run, Osmeña said she may also win.
"Of course, she can win. People can vote for her. I am not going to stop her. Run," Osmeña said.
Ong admitted eyeing for the ABC presidency. "Yes, I have the intention to run, but ako lang isa, dili ko katubag ana. Pero naay mga rumors but I cannot say, so they have to speak for themselves," he told The FREEMAN.
Elections are a numbers game and with 54 of 80 barangay captains as allies, the ABC presidency looks like a clear shot for BOPK – unless the group does not vote as one.
Barug Team Rama PDP-Laban's Phillip Zafra of Barangay Tisa is planning for a reelection as ABC president.