‘Opposition’ dads still open for collab

THE only two winning opposition candidates in Cagayan de Oro City would still be glad to work with the administration majority in the city council, although they would still be questioning related issues if necessary.

Jocelyn "Bebot" Rodriguez and Lordan Suan arrived at a latter time Wednesday evening after the proclamation of local administration candidates led by mayor Oscar Moreno, and were proclaimed by the city election board of canvassers separately.

Rodriguez, the sister of Rufus Rodriguez who returned to the Congress for also winning, won the council seat in the 2nd district, while Suan would be serving for the second term in the 1st district.

Both councilors belong to the Padayon Pilipino-Centrist Democratic Party coalition, a rival party to Moreno's Partido Demokratikong PilipinoLakas ng Bayan (PDPLaban).

"We need to move on for the people. We will make sure that the delivery of services will not be affected with our differences," she said.

Rodriguez said that she is not entirely "babag (hindrance)" to the city's progress as long as it is for the benefit of all constituents. She said she is willing to work with administration councilors in a civil manner, although she had reservations towards another councilor-elect Ian Mark Nacaya.

Nacaya and Rodriguez had a long feud as their camps have been in disagreement since the barangay elections in Nazareth last year.

Meanwhile, Suan remained confident that the minority members of the 19th City Council will still leave a mark.

He said the next council will be more challenging but he will make sure that he will be meticulous in scrutinizing the legislative measures passed by the majority.

"It's going to be more challenging kay duha na lang mi sa (we are only two remaining) opposition but we shall see. It's natural nga (that) majority makuha gyud nila ilang gusto pero (will get what they want but) as long as we are given the chance to speak it's ok, it's democracy," he said.