Cebu City Council

The Cebu City Council (Filipino: Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Cebu) is the legislature of Cebu City, Philippines. The legislative body is composed of 18 councilors, with 16 councilors elected from Cebu City's two councilor districts^[1] and two elected from the ranks of barangay (neighborhood) chairmen and the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth councils).^[2] The council's presiding officer is the vice-mayor (elected by the city).^[3] The council is responsible for creating laws and ordinances under the jurisdiction of Cebu City.^[3][4] Although the mayor can veto proposed bills, the council can override the veto with a two-thirds supermajority.^[2]

Cebu City Council Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Cebu
17th Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Cebu
Type
Type	Unicameral
Term limits	3 terms (9 years)
History
Founded	February 24, 1937
Leadership
Presiding Officer	Tomas Osmeña (Liberal)
Presiding Officer pro tempore	Philip Zafra (Lakas)
Majority Leader	Dave Tumulak (Aksyon)
Minority Leader	Sisinio Andales (Liberal)
Structure
Seats	18 councilors (including 2 ex officio members) 1 ex officio presiding officer
Political groups	Majority bloc (12):   PFP (5)   Lakas (3)   Aksyon (1)   PDP (1)   Nonpartisan (2) Minority bloc (6):   Liberal (6)
Length of term	3 years
Authority	Cebu City Charter Local Government Code of the Philippines
Elections
Voting system	Plurality-at-large voting (16 seats) Indirect elections (2 seats)
Last election	May 12, 2025
Next election	May 8, 2028
Meeting place
Doña Eva Macaraeg-Macapagal Session Hall 4th Floor, Legislative Building Cebu City Hall
Website
https://www.cebucity.gov.ph

History

In 1937, four municipalities (including Cebu) were officially converted into cities. With the largest population and number of registered voters at the time, Cebu City was allocated eight members for its city council. On February 24, 1937, at the promulgation of the Cebu City charter, the eight inaugural members of the council were sworn in: Jose P. Nolasco, Dominador Abella, Diego Cañizares, Leandro Tojong, Manuel Roa, Felipe Pacaña, Regino Mercado and Jose Fortich.^[5]

On December 10, 1940, eight members were elected to the council: Leandro A. Tojong, Juan Zamora, Honorato S. Hermosisima, Florencio Urot, Florentino D. Tecson, Ramon U. Abellanosa, Cecilio dela Victoria, and Numeriano Estenzo. Their election was confirmed in Executive Order No. 315, s. 1940, signed on December 28, 1940, by President Manuel Quezon.^[6][7]

The post-war city council was convened on July 1, 1945, and was composed of Honorato S. Hermosisima, Cecilio dela Victoria, Florencio S. Urot, Numeriano G. Estenzo, Eugenio G. Corro, Canuto O. Borromeo, Alfonso S. Frias and Miguel Sanson. On July 5, 1945, Cebu City Ordinance No. 1, "An Ordinance regulating the establishment and maintenance of cockpits in the City of Cebu", was passed; the city's first ordinance, it was also the first cockpit ordinance in the Philippines and was authored by Councilor Cecilio dela Victoria.^[8] Another ordinance was Cebu City Ordinance No. 4, "An Ordinance Appropriating Funds for the necessary expenses of the Government of the City of Cebu during the period from July first Nineteen Hundred Forty-Five to September Thirtieth Nineteen Hundred Forty-Five, and for other purposes". In this appropriation ordinance, the total per diems for the eight council members was ₱2,680.^[9]

Seat

Legislative Building of the Cebu City Hall

The council sits at Cebu City Hall, meeting in the Doña Eva Macaraeg-Macapagal Session Hall of the Cebu City Legislative Building (CCLB). The renovated CCLB was inaugurated on July 24, 2008, by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, assisted by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Vice Mayor Michael Rama. Renovations cost ₱120 million, of which ₱15 million came from the Philippine Tourism Authority (now TIEZA).^[10]

The session hall was named for Eva Macaraeg-Macapagal, the mother of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, second wife of former President Diosdado Macapagal, and ninth First Lady of the Philippines.^[11]

During its September 3, 2019, session, the city council approved an ordinance institutionalizing the conduct of regular and special sessions outside of its current session hall. These sessions would also be aired live on the official Facebook page of the Cebu City's Public Information Office (PIO).^[12][13]

Membership and organization

Each of Cebu City's two congressional districts elects eight members of the council. In plurality-at-large voting, a voter may vote for up to eight candidates, and the candidates with the eight highest numbers of votes are elected.^[1] Regular elections to the city council are synchronized with other national and elections in the country, which have been held on the second Monday of May every third year since 1992.^[14]

Punong Barangays and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairpersons from each of the city's 80 barangays, through the Cebu City chapters of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) and SK Federation, respectively, each elect an ex officio representative to the council separately from the regular local elections, bringing the council's total membership to 18. The current term of Barangay and SK officials is set to expire on December 1, 2026.^[15]

The vice mayor presides over sessions of the city council and can only vote in the event of a tie, with the presiding officer pro tempore substituting when the vice mayor yields the chair to participate in council debates, and the next highest-ranked councilor (starting with the first-ranked) taking over as acting vice mayor during the vice mayor's absences. The vice mayor also serves as the council's chief administrative officer, appointing and overseeing the council's employees. The majority and minority leaders lead their respective council blocs, with the majority bloc deciding the leadership of council committees.^[16]

Each councilor has their own office and staff. The administrative and operational work of the council as a whole is assisted by a secretariat led by the nonvoting Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, who is appointed by the vice mayor.

Leadership

Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña presiding over the Cebu City Council on July 8, 2025

Position	Officer	Party
Presiding officer	Vice Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña		BOPK
Presiding officer pro tempore	Philip S. Zafra		BARUG
Majority leader	David "Dave" F. Tumulak		KUSUG
1st assistant majority leader	Joel C. Garganera		KUSUG
2nd assistant majority leader	Pancrasio "Francis" I. Esparis		BARUG
Minority leader	Sisinio "Bebs" M. Andales		BOPK
Assistant minority leader	Alvin B. Arcilla		BOPK
Secretary[a]	Charisse L. Piramide		Nonpartisan

1. Appointed by the Vice Mayor from the city's employees

Members (2025–2028)

Councilor	Party				District	Terms			Bloc
	Local		National			No.	Started	Ends
Abella-Cellona, Michelle E.		BOPK		Liberal	South	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Minority
Abellanosa, Jose Lorenzo R.		BOPK		Liberal	South	2nd	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Minority
Alcover, Pastor Jr. M.		KUSUG		PFP	North	2nd	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Andales, Sisinio "Bebs" M.		BOPK		Liberal	North	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Minority
Archival, Nyza "Nice" C.		BOPK		Liberal	North	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Minority
Arcilla, Alvin B.		BOPK		Liberal	North	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Minority
Eran, Harry R.		BARUG		Lakas–CMD	South	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Esparis, Pancrasio "Francis" I.		BARUG		Lakas–CMD	South	2nd	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Garganera, Joel C.		KUSUG		PFP	North	4th[a]	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Go, Harold Kendrick Y.		KUSUG		PFP	North	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Labella, Edgardo II "Jaypee" N.		KUSUG		PFP	North	2nd	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Labra, Pablo II "Paul" G.		BOPK		Liberal	South	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Minority
Pepito, Winston C.		KUSUG		PFP	North	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Rama, Mikel F.		BARUG		PDP	South	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Tumulak, David "Dave" F.		KUSUG		Aksyon	South	1st	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Zafra, Phillip S.		BARUG		Lakas–CMD	South	3rd	June 30, 2025	June 30, 2028	Majority
Ong, Franklyn O.		Nonpartisan, allied with BARUG[b]			LNB[c]	2nd[d]	July 30, 2018	December 1, 2026[15]	Majority
Jakosalem, Rhea Mae P.		Nonpartisan, allied with BARUG[e]			SK[f]	1st[g]	November 30, 2023[h]	December 1, 2026[15]	Majority

Summary by party (local)

Party		Total	%
	BOPK	6	33.3%
	KUSUG	6	33.3%
	BARUG	4	22.2%
	Nonpartisan	2	11.1%
Total		18	100.0%

Summary (local)

Presiding officer
Seats	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
1st (North)
2nd (South)
Ex officio

Notes

1. Garganera ran for Councilor in 2025, arguing that the 15-day delay in his proclamation after winning his second consecutive term in 2019 constituted an interruption to the three-term limit. He is currently facing legal challenges from an April 3, 2025 petition seeking to declare Garganera's 2025 candidacy and victory in violation of the three-term limit under the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code.^[17]
2. Despite being officially nonpartisan as a barangay official, Ong has been allied with BARUG since his transfer from BOPK in 2024.
3. The President of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB, also known as the Association of Barangay Councils or ABC) in Cebu City is an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
4. The LnB President's terms depend on the elections and term limits for Barangay and SK officials, rather than on the local elections. Despite the new membership of the rest of the council, the 2025 local elections do not count as a new term for its two ex-officio members; Ong was first elected LnB President in 2018 and re-elected following the 2023 Barangay and SK Elections, and is thus counted as being on his second term despite serving on what would be his fourth council.
5. Despite being officially nonpartisan as an SK official, Jakosalem has been allied with BARUG since her election in 2023.
6. The President of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) in Cebu City is an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
7. The SK Federation President's terms depend on the elections and term limits for Barangay and SK officials, rather than on the local elections. Despite the new membership of the rest of the council, the 2025 local elections do not count as a new term for its two ex-officio members, hence Jakosalem still serving her first term in the new council.
8. Succeeded Jessica Resch whose term concluded on November 30, 2023, following the 2023 Philippine barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. She was elected as the president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) in Cebu City on November 14, 2023.^[18]

Blocs

See also: 2025 Cebu City local elections

The council is divided into the majority and minority blocs.^[19] Since July 8, 2025, the majority bloc is composed of councilors who won in the 2025 elections under KUSUG (with PFP and Aksyon as their national parties) and BARUG (with PDP and Lakas). The minority bloc is composed of councilors aligned with BOPK–LP.^[20][21][22]

2017 definition of simple majority

In an omnibus resolution, Majority Floor Leader James Anthony Cuenco and the BARUG Team Rama council members moved to declare all positions in the Council vacant (including the presiding officer pro tempore, majority floor leader, 1st assistant majority floor leader, 2nd assistant majority floor leader and the chairs and members of all standing and ad hoc committees) on June 20, 2017. This was in response to the change in affiliation of BARUG Team Rama councilors David Tumulak, Nendell Hanz Abella, and Jerry Guardo to BOPK, making it the council's majority bloc.^[23] For several weeks, no committee chairs were elected because of disagreements about what constituted a simple majority. The presiding officer, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, met with Councilors Margarita Osmeña and James Anthony Cuenco and they agreed to seek the opinion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).^[24]

July 24, 2017, DILG opinion stated that the City Council presiding officer should not be included in the count determining the council's majority bloc, citing the August 3, 2016 Supreme Court ruling in Tobias Javier vs. Rhodora Cadiao, et al.: "The Vice Governor, as the Presiding Officer, shall be considered a part of the SP for purposes of ascertaining if a quorum exists. In determining the number which constitutes the majority vote, the Vice Governor is excluded. The Vice Governor's right to vote is merely contingent and arises only when there is a tie to break." The vice governor is the presiding officer of a provincial board, and the vice mayor is the presiding officer of a city (or municipal) council.^[16]

Powers, duties, and functions

The council, as the city's legislative body, is mandated by the Local Government Code of 1991 to enact ordinances; approve resolutions; appropriate funds for the welfare of the city and its inhabitants (pursuant to Section 16 of the Local Government Code), and ensure the proper exercise of the city's corporate powers (as provided under Section 22 of the Local Government Code). It has the following duties and functions:^[2]

• Approving ordinances and passing resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective city government;
• Generating and maximizing the use of resources and revenue for the city's development plans, program objectives and priorities as provided for under Section 18 of the Local Government Code, with particular attention to agricultural and industrial development and citywide growth and progress;
• Enacting ordinances granting franchises and authorizing the issuance of permits or licenses, subject to Book II of the Local Government Code;
• Regulating activities related to land use, buildings, and other structures in the city to promote the general welfare of its inhabitants;
• Approving ordinances which ensure the efficient delivery of basic services and facilities as provided under Section 17 of the Local Government Code; and
• Exercising other powers and performing other duties and functions as prescribed by law.

Committees

2025–present

There are currently 27 standing committees as of July 8, 2025:^[25]

Committee	Party				Chair	Bloc
	Local		National
Agriculture and Rural Development		KUSUG		PFP	Jun Alcover Jr.	Majority
Animal Welfare		BARUG		Lakas–CMD	Philip Zafra	Majority
Barangay Affairs		Nonpartisan			Franklyn Ong (LnB)	Majority
Budget and Finance		KUSUG		Aksyon	Dave Tumulak	Majority
Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Safety and Climate Change Adaptation		KUSUG		Aksyon	Dave Tumulak	Majority
Education, Science and Technology		BOPK		Liberal	Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña	Minority
Environmental Natural Resources, Energy and Other Utilities		KUSUG		PFP	Joel Garganera	Majority
Games and Amusements		KUSUG		PFP	Jun Alcover Jr.	Majority
Health, Hospital Services and Sanitation		BOPK		Liberal	Michelle Abella	Minority
House Rules and Oversight		BARUG		Lakas–CMD	Philip Zafra	Majority
Housing		BARUG		PDP	Mikel Rama	Majority
Information and Communications Technology		KUSUG		PFP	Edgardo Labella II	Majority
Infrastructure		KUSUG		PFP	Edgardo Labella II	Majority
Labor, Employment, Cooperative and Livelihood		BARUG		PDP	Mikel Rama	Majority
Laws, Ordinances and Styling		BARUG		PDP	Mikel Rama	Majority
Markets		KUSUG		PFP	Jun Alcover Jr.	Majority
Public Order		BARUG		Lakas–CMD	Phillip Zafra	Majority
Public Services		BOPK		Liberal	Paul Labra II	Minority
Scholarship Program		KUSUG		PFP	Winston Pepito	Majority
Sister Cities Relations and Big Brother Program		BOPK		Liberal	Nyza Archival	Minority
Social Services		BARUG		Lakas–CMD	Pancrasio Esparis	Majority
Tourism, Arts and Culture		BOPK		Liberal	Nyza Archival	Minority
Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship		KUSUG		PFP	Harold Go	Majority
Transportation and Communication		KUSUG		PFP	Winston Pepito	Majority
Urban Planning		KUSUG		PFP	Harold Go	Majority
Women, LGBTQ and Family Affairs		KUSUG		PFP	Winston Pepito	Majority
Youth and Sports Development		Nonpartisan			Rhea Mae Jakosalem (SK)	Majority

2020–2022

New officers were elected on July 29, 2020. Ad hoc committees for the Cebu City Medical Center and for the online session were also created.^[26][27]

Committee	Party		Chair	Bloc
Agriculture and Rural Development		PDP–Laban	Raymond Alvin Garcia	Majority
Barangay Affairs		Nonpartisan	Franklyn Ong	Minority
Budget and Finance		PDP–Laban	Raymond Alvin Garcia	Majority
Cebu City Medical Center (Ad hoc)		UNA	Vice Mayor Michael Rama	Majority
Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Safety and Climate Change Adaptation		Nacionalista	David Tumulak	Majority
Education, Science and Technology		UNA	Vice Mayor Michael Rama	Majority
Environment and Natural Resources		PDP–Laban	Joel Garganera	Majority
Games and Amusements		PDP–Laban	Donaldo Hontiveros	Majority
Health, Hospital Services and Sanitation		UNA	Vice Mayor Michael Rama	Majority
House Rules and Oversight		PDP–Laban	Phillip Zafra	Majority
Housing		PDP–Laban	Raymond Alvin Garcia	Majority
Information and Communications Technology		PDP–Laban	Eduardo Rama Jr.	Majority
Infrastructure		LDP	Jerry Guardo	Majority
Labor, Employment, Cooperative and Livelihood		PDP–Laban	Prisca Niña Mabatid	Majority
Laws, Ordinances and Styling		PDP–Laban	Raymond Alvin Garcia	Majority
Markets		PDP–Laban	Renato Osmeña Jr.	Majority
Online Session (Ad hoc)			TBD	TBD
Public Order		PDP–Laban	Phillip Zafra	Majority
Public Services		PDP–Laban	Eduardo Rama Jr.	Majority
Scholarship Program		PDP–Laban	Donaldo Hontiveros	Majority
Sister Cities Relations and Big Brother Program		PDP–Laban	Raymond Alvin Garcia	Majority
Social Services		PDP–Laban	Eduardo Rama Jr.	Majority
Tourism, Arts and Culture		PDP–Laban	Prisca Niña Mabatid	Majority
Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship		PDP–Laban	Renato Osmeña Jr.	Majority
Transportation, Communication, Energy and Other Utilities		PDP–Laban	James Anthony Cuenco[28]	Majority
Urban Planning		PDP–Laban	Joel Garganera	Majority
Women and Family Affairs		PDP–Laban	Prisca Niña Mabatid	Majority
Youth and Sports Development		Nonpartisan	Jessica Resch	Minority

2019–2020

There were 26 standing committees as of July 14, 2019:^[29][30]

Committee	Party		Chair	Bloc[31][32]
Agriculture and Rural Development		PDP–Laban	Raymond Alvin Garcia	Majority
Barangay Affairs		Nonpartisan	Franklyn Ong	Minority
Budget and Finance		PDP–Laban	Raymond Alvin Garcia	Majority
Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Safety and Climate Change Adaptation		Nacionalista	David Tumulak	Majority
Education, Science and Technology		PDP–Laban	Vacant[33]
Environment and Natural Resources		UNA	Vice Mayor Michael Rama	Majority
Games and Amusements		PDP–Laban	Donaldo Hontiveros	Majority
Health, Hospital Services and Sanitation		UNA	Vice Mayor Michael Rama	Majority
House Rules and Oversight		PDP–Laban	Phillip Zafra	Majority
Housing		PDP–Laban	Raymond Alvin Garcia	Majority
Information and Communications Technology		PDP–Laban	Eduardo Rama Jr.	Majority
Infrastructure		LDP	Jerry Guardo	Majority
Labor, Employment, Cooperative and Livelihood		LDP	Jerry Guardo	Majority
Laws, Ordinances and Styling		PDP–Laban	Raymond Alvin Garcia	Majority
Markets		PDP–Laban	Renato Osmeña Jr.	Majority
PAGCOR Funds and Gaming Licenses (Ad hoc)		PDP–Laban	Renato Osmeña Jr.	Majority
Public Order		PDP–Laban	Phillip Zafra	Majority
Public Services		PDP–Laban	Eduardo Rama Jr.	Majority
Scholarship Program		PDP–Laban	Donaldo Hontiveros	Majority
Sister Cities Relations and Big Brother Program		UNA	Vice Mayor Michael Rama	Majority
Social Services		PDP–Laban	Eduardo Rama Jr.	Majority
Tourism, Arts and Culture		UNA	Vice Mayor Michael Rama	Majority
Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship		PDP–Laban	Renato Osmeña Jr.	Majority
Transportation, Communication, Energy and Other Utilities		PDP–Laban	Vacant[33]
Urban Planning		PDP–Laban	Phillip Zafra	Majority
Women and Family Affairs		PDP–Laban	Prisca Niña Mabatid	Majority
Youth and Sports Development		Nonpartisan	Jessica Resch	Minority

Past councils

2022-2025

Members of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod (2022–2025)^[19]

Councilor	Party				District	Terms			Bloc
	Local		National			No.	Started	Ends
Abellanosa, Jose Lorenzo R.		BOPK		LDP	South	1st	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025	Minority
Alcover, Pastor Jr. M.		BARUG		PDP	North	1	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025	Majority
Archival, Nestor D.		BOPK		LDP	North	2	June 30, 2019	June 30, 2025	Minority
Cuenco, James Anthony R.		BARUG		PDP[34][19]	South	1	September 15, 2020 [a]	June 30, 2025	Majority
Delos Santos, Mary Ann C.		BOPK		LDP	North	1	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025	Minority
Esparis, Pancrasio I.		BARUG		PDP	South	1	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025	Majority
Garganera, Joel C.		BARUG		Independent[19][b][b]	North	3	June 30, 2016	June 30, 2025	Majority
Gealon, Rey M.		BARUG		PDP	South	1	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025	Majority
Guardo, Jerry L.		BARUG		PDP	North	3	June 30, 2016	June 30, 2025	Majority
Hontiveros, Donaldo C.		BARUG		Independent[19][b]	South	1st	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025	Majority
Labella, Edgardo II N.		BARUG		PDP	North	1st	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025	Majority
Osmeña, Renato Jr. Z.		BARUG		PDP	South	2nd	December 6, 2017[c]	June 30, 2025	Majority
Pesquera, Jocelyn G.		BARUG		PDP	South	1	February 10, 2022[d]	June 30, 2025	Majority
Wenceslao, Noel Eleuterio G.		BARUG		PDP	North	1st	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025	Majority
Young, Joy Augustus G.		BOPK		LDP	North	3rd	June 30, 2016	June 30, 2025	Minority
Zafra, Phillip S.		BARUG		Independent[19][b]	South	2nd	June 30, 2019	June 30, 2025	Majority
Ong, Franklyn O.		Nonpartisan, allied with BARUG[e]			LNB[f]	1st	July 30, 2018	December 1, 2026[15]	Minority
Jakosalem, Rhea Mae		Nonpartisan, allied with BARUG[g]			SK[h]	1st	November 30, 2023[i]	December 1, 2026[15]

Summary by party (national)

Party		Total	%
	PDP	9	50%
	LDP	4	22.2%
	Independent[b]	3	16.7%
	Nonpartisan	2	11.1%
Total		18	100%

Summary (national)

Presiding officer
Seats	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
1st (North)
2nd (South)
Ex officio

Summary by party (local)

Party		Total	%
	Partido Barug	9	50%
	BOPK	4	22.2%
	Independent[b]	3	16.7%
	Nonpartisan	2	11.1%
Total		18	100%

Summary (local)

Presiding officer
Seats	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
1st (North)
2nd (South)
Ex officio

Notes

1. Councilor James Anthony Cuenco was nominated to succeed his father, Antonio Cuenco, who died on June 27, 2020.^[35]
2. Councilors Garganera, Hontiveros, and Zafra ran as independents but are allied with BARUG.^[36][37]
3. Osmeña was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to finish Councilor Nendell Hanz Abella's term when Abella was appointed as a commissioner representing the workers' sector of the seventh division of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).^[38][39][40]
4. Pesquera was named as the replacement of Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros as the latter became vice mayor.^[41][42][43]
5. Despite being officially nonpartisan as a barangay official, Ong has been allied with BARUG since his transfer from BOPK in 2024.
6. The President of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB, also known as the Association of Barangay Councils or ABC) in Cebu City is an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
7. Despite being officially nonpartisan as an SK official, Jakosalem has been allied with BARUG since her election in 2023.
8. The President of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) in Cebu City is an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
9. Succeeded Jessica Resch whose term concluded on November 30, 2023, following the 2023 Philippine barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. She was elected as the president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) in Cebu City on November 14, 2023.^[44]

2019-2022

Donaldo Hontiveros
Presiding Officer of 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod after Rama ascended to mayor in 2021.

Majority of the councilors in the 15th council came from BARUG.^[45]

• Michael Rama (presiding officer; assumed by Donaldo Hontiveros on November 20, 2021)
• Nestor Archival (BOPK)
• James Anthony Cuenco (BARUG)
• Alvin Dizon (BOPK)
• Eugenio Gabuya Jr. (BOPK)
• Raymond Alvin Garcia (BARUG)
• Joel Garganera (BARUG)
• Jerry Guardo (BOPK, transferred to BARUG)
• Donaldo Hontiveros (BARUG)
• Lea Ouano-Japson (BOPK)
• Prisca Niña Mabatid (BARUG)
• Renato Osmeña Jr. (BARUG)
• Jocelyn Pesquera (BARUG)
• Eduardo Rama Jr. (BARUG)
• David Tumulak (BOPK, transferred to BARUG)
• Joy Augustus Young (BOPK)
• Phillip Zafra (BARUG)
• Franklyn Ong (LnB)
• Jessica Resch (SK)

2016-2019

Edgardo Labella
Presiding Officer of 13th & 14th Sangguniang Panlungsod

Sixty-seven ordinances and over 4,600 resolutions were passed by the 14th council from 2016 to 2019. Eugenio Gabuya, Jr. had the largest number of approved ordinances of the 18 city legislators, and Margarita Osmeña had the largest number of approved resolutions. Sisinio Andales had perfect attendance during the council's 116 regular sessions.^[46]

• Edgardo Labella (presiding officer)
• Alvin Arcilla
• Mary Ann De Los Santos
• Sisinio Andales
• Joy Augustus Young
• Jerry Guardo
• Raymond Alvin Garcia
• Pastor Alcover Jr.
• Joel Garganera
• David Tumulak
• Margarita Osmeña
• Eduardo Rama Jr.
• Jose Daluz III
• Nendell Hanz Abella (replaced by Renato Osmeña, Jr. after his appointment to the NLRC)^[38]
• Eugenio Gabuya Jr.
• James Anthony Cuenco (replaced by Erik Miguel Espina after his dismissal from service)^[47]
• Jocelyn Pesquera
• Phillip Zafra (LNB)

2013-2016

On May 17, 2016, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) served a six-month preventive suspension order against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and 12 councilors for "grave abuse of authority."^[48] They allegedly received a ₱20,000 calamity fund, although they had not suffered in Super Typhoon Yolanda and the magnitude 7.2 earthquake which struck Cebu in 2013. Not included in the suspension order were Councilors Margarita Osmeña, Lea Ouano-Japson, Richard Osmeña, James Anthony Cuenco and Philip Zafra. Osmeña temporarily served as acting mayor and Japson as acting vice-mayor until June 30, 2016.^[48]

• Edgardo Labella (presiding officer; assumed by Lea Ouano-Japson on May 17, 2016)
• Nestor Archival
• Mary Ann De Los Santos
• Alvin Arcilla
• Sisinio Andales
• Lea Ouano-Japson
• Alvin Dizon
• Ma. Nida Cabrera
• Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao
• Margarita Osmeña
• Gerardo Carillo
• Eugenio Gabuya Jr.
• David Tumulak
• Roberto Cabarrubias
• James Anthony Cuenco
• Nendell Hanz Abella
• Richard Osmeña
• Phillip Zafra (LNB)
• John Philip Po II (SK)

2010-2013

The 12th council conducted its first regular offsite sessions in Barangays Bonbon, Guba and Luz on October 12 and 26, 2011 and August 15, 2012, respectively.^[49] The council went paperless on July 20, 2011, with councilors using their laptops (their own or issued by the city) for the regular session; this maintained the city's environmentally-friendly stance and saved money.^[50]

Notable ordinances passed by the council included City Ordinances No. 2339, which prohibited discrimination in the city on the basis of disability, age, health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or religion;^[51][52] No. 2343, which phased out single-use plastic products in the city^[53] and No. 2326, giving the elderly and people with disabilities free parking in malls, hospitals and other establishments.^[54]

• Joy Augustus Young (presiding officer)
• Edgardo Labella
• Augustus Pe Jr.
• Alvin Arcilla
• Sisinio Andales
• Lea Ouano-Japson
• Alvin Dizon
• Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao
• Ma. Nida Cabrera
• Rodrigo Abellanosa
• Margarita Osmeña
• Eduardo Rama Jr.
• Jose Daluz III
• Raul Alcoseba
• Ronald Cuenco
• Richard Osmeña
• Roberto Cabarrubias
• Michael Ralota (LNB)
• John Philip Po II (SK)

2007-2010

Michael Rama
Presiding Officer of 9th, 10th, 11th & 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod

The 11th council received two Local Legislative Awards in the Highly Urbanized or Independent Component Cities category for the substance of enacted legislation, efficiency of its records staff, completeness of the Agenda, Journals, and Minutes Division and the availability of facilities and amenities in the session hall.^[55]

• Michael Rama (presiding officer)
• Hilario Davide III
• Nestor Archival
• Edgardo Labella
• Sylvan Jakosalem
• Christopher Alix
• Edwin Jagmoc
• Lea Ouano-Japson
• Augustus Pe Jr.
• Rodrigo Abellanosa
• Raul Alcoseba
• Gerardo Carillo
• Jose Daluz III
• Arsenio Pacaña
• Eduardo Rama Jr.
• Richard Osmeña
• Roberto Cabarrubias
• Eugenio Faelnar Jr. (LNB)
• Rengelle Pelayo (SK)

2004-2007

• Michael Rama (presiding officer)
• Hilario Davide III
• Nestor Archival
• Sylvan Jakosalem
• Edgardo Labella
• Christopher Alix
• Gabriel Leyson
• Edwin Jagmoc
• Augustus Pe Jr.
• Rodrigo Abellanosa
• Eduardo Rama Jr.
• Gerardo Carillo
• Arsenio Pacaña
• Jocelyn Pesquera
• Procopio Fernandez
• Raul Alcoseba
• Jose Daluz III
• Eugenio Faelnar Jr. (LNB)
• Glena Bontuyan (SK)

2001-2004

• Michael Rama (presiding officer)
• Nestor Archival
• Christopher Alix
• Carmelita Piramide
• Danilo Fernan
• Sylvan Jakosalem
• Dana Ruiz Sesante
• Vicente Kintanar Jr.
• Manuel Legaspi
• Jocelyn Pesquera
• Procopio Fernandez
• Eugenio Gabuya Jr.
• Gerardo Carillo
• Arsenio Pacaña
• George Rama
• Gabriel Leyson
• Jose Navarro (LNB until 2002)
• Eugenio Faelnar Jr. (LNB 2002–2004)
• Glena Bontuyan (SK)

1998-2001

City Ordinance No. 1726, establishing the Cebu City Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children, was passed by this council.^[56]

• Renato Osmeña (presiding officer)
• Franklin Seno
• Michael Rama
• Rogelio Osmeña
• Ronald Cuenco
• Firmo Dayao
• Ernesto Elizondo
• Rodolfo Estella
• Procopio Fernandez
• Eugenio Gabuya Jr.
• Edgardo Labella
• Manuel Legaspi
• Laurito Malinao
• Ananias Ouano
• Jocelyn Pesquera
• Felixberto Rosito
• Fe Mantua-Ruiz
• Jose Navarro (LNB)
• Anthony Jones Luy (SK)

1995-1998

City Ordinance No. 1656, revising the city's comprehensive zoning regulations, was passed by this council.^[57]

• Renato Osmeña (presiding officer)
• Rodolfo Cabrera
• Jessie Aznar
• Ruben de la Cerna
• Eleno Abellana
• Christopher Alix
• Manuel Concepcion
• Ronald Cuenco
• Rico Rey Francis Holganza
• Gabriel Leyson
• Laurito Malinao
• Rogelio Osmeña
• Arnulfo Ravina
• Felixberto Rosito
• Fe Mantua-Ruiz
• Joy Augustus Young
• Michael Rama
• Ananias Ouano (LNB)
• Anthony Jones Luy (SK)

Timeline

Members from 2004–2025 (national parties)

The name of the President of the Philippines is displayed at the top, followed by the council members.^[a][b]

Members from 2004–2025 (local blocs)

The name of the Mayor of Cebu City is displayed at the top, followed by the council members.^{[c][d][e][f][g][h]}

Notes

1. Due to the unavailability of specific vote and ranking data for council races prior to the 2010 elections, new councilors prior to 2010 are sorted in alphabetical order of their last names, while new councilors from 2010 onwards are sorted by their rankings. Individuals who first join the council by being elected vice mayor (presiding officer), rather than councilor, are always listed first in their election year.
2. Presidential administrations are displayed to better contextualize national affiliations; local politicians in the Philippines tend to change parties by joining either the party led by the sitting President of the Philippines, an allied national party, or a prominent national opposition party if the President is already backing a local rival.
3. Mayors' names are displayed to show whether or not the sitting administration has a council majority.
4. Councilor James Anthony Cuenco was dismissed from office by the Ombudsman on October 4, 2017, after which UNA nominated Eric Espina as his replacement. Espina served until Cuenco was ordered reinstated by the DILG on January 3, 2019, after the Court of Appeals overturned the Ombudsman's decision on October 19, 2018.
5. Councilor Antonio Cuenco died in office on June 27, 2020, after which he was replaced by his son, former Councilor James Anthony Cuenco.
6. On February 10, 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed former Councilor Jocelyn "Joy" Pesquera to fill the vacancy created by first-ranked Councilor Dondon Hontiveros's ascension to vice mayor, following the death of Mayor Edgar Labella on November 19, 2021.
7. Councilor Ramon "Yayoy" Alcoseba died in office on April 25, 2022.
8. Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia assumed the office of mayor on October 9, 2024 after then-Mayor Rama was dismissed from office by the Ombudsman due to nepotism charges.

See also

• Sangguniang Panlungsod
• Manila City Council
• Zamboanga City Council