Partido Barug lineup to be completed after Holy Week

Cebu City’s ruling political party Partido Barug still has some slots left to be filled, but its lineup for the May 2025 elections is expected to be finalized after the Holy Week.

Mayor Mike Rama, through his regular program via the City’s Sugboanon channel, said he is just waiting for the results of the survey that he commissioned.

On the other hand, the lineup for the south district is already complete ahead of the outcome of the survey, but Rama said he is also looking for alternatives should some of his partymates decide to bolt out and take other options.

During the last election, Partido Barug-PDP Laban swept all but one seat in the City Council.

Out of the mayor’s south district allies in the City Council, only city Councilor James Cuenco has expressed his intention to retire from politics, although is still eligible to run anew.

The no.1 city councilor from the south district, Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros has also been considered to be the party’s congressional candidate in the north district after Rama crashed out Cutie Del Mar as the guest candidate of their party.

The mayor’s son, Atty. Mikel Francisco Rama, on the other hand, has been assured of a slot in the south district.

In the north, Rama said five slots are already taken, though he did not mention names.

Rama’s allies who are still eligible to run for another term in the north district include councilors Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr., Edgardo “JP” Labella II, and Noel Wenceslao.

Councilor Joel Garganera also argued he can still go for another term as he was excluded when Comelec proclaimed the May 13, 2019 winners.

For vice mayor, Rama said it’s still going to be Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia as his runningmate.

For Congress representatives, Rep. Eduardo “Edu” Rama, Jr. will seek a second term in Congress to represent the south district, while the north district is still open, unless Councilor Hontiveros accepts the challenge.

Like Partido Barug, opposition party Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) is also expected to announce its lineup up anytime soon.

City councilor Nestor Archival, who had been asked to run as mayor by BOPK’s leader, former mayor Tomas Osmeña, told The Freeman earlier that he is already close to making his decision.

Should Archival run as mayor, Osmeña said he will be the former’s running mate.

Former Customs Commissioner Yogi Ruiz have already announced his intentions to run as mayor of Cebu City, but has yet to announce his slate, while embattled MCWD chair Joey Daluz has also yet to make his final decision to push through with his bid as the next mayor of Cebu City.