GO bets win in 15 out of 80 Cebu City barangays

Sun.Star: CEBU CITY - They won in only 15 of the 80 Cebu City barangays, but the Genuine Opposition (GO) is confident they will grow in numbers to become a stronger and more credible opposition, starting in the villages. GO Cebu City Chairman Jonathan Guardo said he is optimistic they can change the political landscape in the city by 2010, as shown in the number of GO allies who won in the Oct. 29 barangay and youth elections. From only seven opposition barangay captains prior to the polls, there are now 15 village chiefs allied with the GO. GO officials believe that if it weren’t for the alleged cheating and vote-buying in the elections, other GO candidates could have won against Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) candidates. “With double the number of barangay captains allied with us, we are very confident the opposition is moving forward. The people can expect a much stronger opposition," Guardo told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday. Winning candidates from the GO party took their oath before Court of Appeals Justice Pampio Abarintos and some 400 opposition allies at the Cebu Grand Convention Center yesterday noon. Guardo, former mayor Alvin Garcia, lawyer Aristotle Batuhan and Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos rallied their allies into serving the public sincerely and establishing close relations with them. De los Santos also said that opposition barangay captains should learn to be self-reliant and resourceful so they can deliver basic services to all their constituents. “We should all do our homework. Don’t sell your principles and stand up for your loyalty. No matter how much other candidates give the voters, if we have done our job in serving, they will not succeed," she said in her speech. GO’s candidates for barangay captain in Poblacion Pardo, Sambag I, Agsungot, Day-as, Lahug, Buot Taop, Pasil, Cogon Pardo, Calamba, San Antonio, San Nicolas Proper, Sapangdaku, Duljo Fatima and two other barangays won in the Oct. 29 polls. “I have established one thing in Lahug and that is my relationship with the people down to the sitio level," de los Santos said. “That is why the Osmeña magic does not win in Lahug." The GO officials also assured the barangay captains and councilors of the party’s assistance, fearing that the administration-dominated City Hall might not give them projects. Guardo announced the party will buy a mobile stage and service buses for the 15 barangays’ use. They will also set up a secretariat where opposition barangays can course their requests for vehicles and other resources. GO officials declined to comment on their political plans for 2010, saying their main focus is strengthening the capability of their barangay officials. Guardo said that Lahug will serve as a model for good governance, which they hope opposition barangay captains will emulate. “We have to strengthen public service because we noticed that in the barangays where officials have good relations with their constituents, our candidates did not lose despite the vote-buying done by their opponents," he said. De los Santos said that as long as they can be self-reliant and resourceful, they will be able to serve their public well even with little help from City Hall. - Sun.Star