The removal of Councilor Michelle Abella-Cellona as chairperson of the Cebu City Council’s Committee on Health drew criticism from Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who questioned the decision to replace the council’s only physician at a time when health-related concerns remain a priority.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, July 9, Osmeña described the committee reshuffle approved earlier this week as “shameful,” noting that Abella-Cellona and three other councilors from the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) bloc were left without committee assignments.
“It is SHAMEFUL that the only doctor in the Sangguniang Panlungsod was removed by the majority from the Committee on Health. Now she, along with three other BOPK councilors, has no committee memberships at all,” Osmeña said.
Osmeña credited Abella-Cellona’s work during her year as health committee chair, particularly initiatives related to mental health programs.
He also cited recent school violence incidents in the country as a reason why medical and public health expertise remains important in local governance.
“In an era where the Philippines has sadly experienced our first school shooting and stabbing, her expertise will be needed more than ever,” he said.
The Cebu City Council approved the committee reorganization during its regular session on Tuesday, July 7, naming Councilor Dave Tumulak as the new chairperson of the Committee on Health, replacing Abella-Cellona.
Abella-Cellona, in a separate statement, thanked government agencies, organizations, and stakeholders that worked with her office during her leadership of the committee.
She acknowledged that her office would no longer oversee the Committee on Health but said the change would not affect her commitment to public service.
“Bisan og wala na mi sa Committee on Health, magpabilin gihapon ang among dedikasyon sa pag-alagad ug sa pagsuporta sa mga inisyatiba nga makatabang sa atong komunidad,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support extended to her office while implementing programs focused on improving the health and welfare of Cebu City residents.
Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. said he respected the City Council’s decision to reorganize its committees, describing the move as part of the political process.
While declining to comment directly on the reshuffle, Archival said he hoped both majority and minority councilors would continue working together for the city.
“It could have been nicer and better, but things happen because this is politics. Realignments are always there,” he told reporters on Wednesday, July 8.
Archival, however, emphasized that programs initiated under Abella-Cellona’s leadership should continue despite the change in committee leadership.
He specifically mentioned the city’s involvement in the Wolbachia mosquito-control program, a $1.5-million partnership that made Cebu City the pilot site in the Philippines for an initiative aimed at reducing mosquito-borne diseases.
The mayor also cited the creation of the Cebu City Mental Health Council, saying Abella-Cellona played a role in advancing both initiatives.
“I would love that the majority, especially the Committee on Health, would also find a way to align with the projects that Dr. Michelle had started. After all, para man ni sa kaayohan sa atong mga katawhan,” Archival said.
Asked whether the change in committee leadership could affect ongoing health programs, Archival said he was hopeful that projects would continue with coordination among council members.
“I hope na dili. Ato lang gyud ni siyang i-align sila. Everybody is on talking terms,” he said.
The committee reorganization came after the formation of a new majority coalition in the Cebu City Council, which resulted in changes to committee chairmanships and memberships among councilors.
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