Cebu City Council: A bold mix of old and new

CEBU, Philippines — From seasoned lawmakers to fresh faces, Cebu City’s 2025 City Council will bring together a diverse mix of re-elected officials, comeback veterans, community leaders, and first-time legislators—including a retired police officer, a clinical psychologist, a lawyer, and a beauty queen-turned-youth advocate.

While there were only two parties represented in the 2022 batch of councilors, this year’s newly elected legislators come from three political parties: BOPK, which belongs to the new administration; Partido Barug; and Partido KUSUG—whose standard-bearers have also previously served as city mayors.

In the recently concluded midterm elections, the 18 councilors of the City Council were named and proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) board of canvassers.

South District

For the South District, topping the council seats is current Basak Pardo Barangay Captain Dave Tumulak, who is also a former legislator. Tumulak ran for mayor in the 2022 elections.

Taking the second spot was re-elected Councilor Philip Zafra under the banner of Partido Barug, who will be serving his last term. Zafra thanked supporters who helped him finish strong in the polls, though he couldn’t help but be affected by the loss of their standard-bearer, former Mayor Michael Rama, and vice mayoral candidate Donaldo Hontiveros.

Moving forward, however, Zafra said he will embrace this fresh mandate and aims to make his final term impactful and memorable. Despite being part of a different party from the current administration, Zafra vowed cooperation.

In this new batch of council members—assessed to be diverse—Zafra expressed hope that public service will prevail.

“I’m excited to see sa atong dynamics sad dira sa council,” said Zafra, stressing that each of them has different advocacies.

He added that they would need to wait for committee assignments, noting there cannot be a clear majority among them and that dialogue is necessary.

Next to Zafra, clinching the third spot is Councilor-elect Paul Labra, a neophyte and retired police official who admitted he did not expect the wide support he received. Labra hopes to represent the peace and order sector of the city. According to him, he aims to strengthen legislative interventions by bridging the government and police force.

To do this, he added, he would like to outline a policy direction, highlighting that it “takes a cop to understand the cops.”

Landing in the fifth spot is re-elected Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa, followed by Mikel Rama, the son of former Mayor Rama—a lawyer and also a neophyte in public service.

Mikel is then followed by re-electionist Francis Esparis, also known as “Ginhawa Delfin” in his profession as a radio drama actor.

In the seventh spot is mental health advocate and clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Abella. On her social media, Abella thanked her supporters for believing in her, despite her being new to politics, and for supporting the advocacy she represents.

Capping off the top eight is Cogon Pardo Barangay Captain Harry Eran from Partido Barug.

North District

For the North District, topping the list is Barangay Bacayan Captain Winston Pepito. Pepito is a businessman of 20 years and has been actively involved in humanitarian work. He previously ran as an independent candidate in the 2022 elections but lost. This time, he made a successful comeback.

Despite running under Partido KUSUG, led by now-sitting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Pepito said he is open and ready to cooperate with the current administration, as long as it aligns with his goal of contributing to the city’s progress.

Landing in the second spot is the youngest candidate and councilor-elect, Nice Archival, niece of Cebu City mayor-elect Nestor Archival. She is also the daughter of slain criminal lawyer Noel Archival. A beauty queen and advocate for sustainable development, Nice represents Generation Z in the council.

Nice said it’s about time that young bloods like her have a seat in the council, especially in these progressive times.

“Timing nga we also have someone that is representing us, the youth, and of course although daghan pa kaayog buhatonon, but puhon puhon, hopefully, I will be able to have that voice,” said Nice.

Taking pride in her last name, she expressed readiness to work with veteran legislators, emphasizing that in legislation, age should not matter. Aside from Nice, Rhea Jacosalem, the SK Federation president and ex-officio councilor, is also a Gen Z member of the council.

Architect and council neophyte Harold Go clinched the third spot. The 32-year-old businessman expressed his readiness to support council initiatives and aims to use his expertise in infrastructure to contribute to legislative interventions, particularly in education.

Go is followed by re-electionist councilors Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella and Joel Garganera. Garganera has been active in the political scene for years. They are followed by veteran legislators Alvin Arcilla, re-electionist Jun Alcover, and Bebs Andales.

Both Andales and Arcilla are returnees to the council. –/ATO (FREEMAN)