Zafra drops ABC re-election bid

Admitting he lacks the number to secure his re-election as president of the Association of Barangay Councils in Cebu City, Tisa Barangay Captain Phillip Zafra yesterday announced that he now considers himself out of contention.

Zafra, who had been ABC president and ex-officio member of the City Council for six years, said he will devote his time in managing his barangay. According to Zafra, he made the decision not to seek for reelection in the ABC three years ago.

“Well, let me go straight to the issue, ever since about two or three years ago. I already made a decision of not seeking re-election. So I am not seeking re-election as ABC president because I made a covenant in our constituents in Tisa to concentrate in our barangay,” Zafra told reporters yesterday.

Zafra said he already informed his allied barangay captains about his decision during their lunch meeting last week. In fact, some Barug Team Rama-Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan officials were already aware about it long time ago.

Zafra said he also has no plans of seeking any other positions in the ABC so he could concentrate in running the affairs of his barangay. Asked who will be his candidate for ABC president, Zafra said he still has to consult the other barangay captains.

However, Zafra said he will choose a leader who is responsible enough to protect the association for the general welfare of the 80 barangays.

“Advise lang sa bag-ong presidente og maminaw sila, before sila mo-take action or before mo-conduct og activities, i-consider gyud nila ang sitwasyon sa tanang barangay because you will be representing not just yourself but the 80 barangays as well,” Zafra said.

Zafra also declared his independence yesterday from Barug Team Rama-PDP Laban. He said he wants the barangays to remain non-partisan.

With Zafra already out of contention, the ABC presidency will now be a fight between Mayor Tomas Osmeña's bet, Kasambagan Barangay Captain Franklyn Ong, and Mabolo Barangay Captain Niña Mabatid.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, PDP-Laban Cebu City Chapter president, said he will support whoever will be endorsed by PDP-Laban. Mabatid earlier claimed to have been supported by PDP-Laban.

“Well of course, any help that would be extended for her I think it will be welcomed by her. Considering that she comes from my barangay Mabolo, I will be supporting her,” he said.

Labella, however, said that Mabatid has yet to ask help from him. Osmeña yesterday admitted that Mabatid is a threat to his candidate.

“If we had an opponent, it is a threat. If we don't have an opponent, it is not a threat. So we have an opponent so it is a threat. Of course, the one who makes the decision is not me, it's certainly not Niña Mabatid but for the barangay captains,” he said.

As of yesterday, Mabatid said she has not decided whether to run for ABC president or not.

Asked if he is confident to get the ABC seat in the City Council, Osmeña did not have a categorical answer.

“In every contest, all the contenders believe they are going to win. Let's leave it at that,” he said.