CEBU CITY POLITICS Tommy unfazed by Zafra’s refusal

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he is unfazed by Association of Barangay Councils president Phillip Zafra’s refusal to join Bando Osmeña Pundok Kausawagan (BOPK).

Earlier, Osmeña admitted that BOPK has considered inviting some members of the opposition to join their group.

The mayor said they’re interested in getting a Barug Team Rama councilor to join them so that the tables at the City Council will turn in their favor.

At present, the administration and opposition each have eight councilors. The council’s presiding officer, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, is a member of the opposition.

The Tisa village chief said he has been receiving feelers from BOPK personalities for a while now. Although he declined to name these personalities, Zafra said they have been asking him to give it time and talk with BOPK’s key people, including the mayor.

But although he is “elated” by the mayor’s invitation, Zafra said he had “politely declined” the offer, and that he will remain a member of the opposition.

Zafra, though, assured the mayor that he will be doing what’s good for the city regardless of political affiliation.

While an addition to the group would have been beneficial for the administration, Osmeña said BOPK will be fine without one. /