2 newbie councilors ready to take on legislative roles

Newly elected Cebu City Councilors Nice Archival and Winston Pepito are stepping up to the challenge of working alongside veteran legislators as they enter the City Council come high noon of June 30.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo/FPL

Both newbie councilors expressed readiness to make a difference, outlining the programs and committees they wish to pursue.

On Tuesday, Councilor-elect Archival introduced herself as the youngest councilor-elect and the only woman representing the north district. She secured second place among north district councilors with a significant margin. Archival dedicated her win to her father, slain criminal lawyer Noel Archival, brother of Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival.

Nice recalled that her victory came as a surprise. At the start of the campaign period, she said many people doubted her due to her age. The 24-year-old said it was former mayor and now Vice Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña who encouraged her to run.

However, she said public perception shifted once she began speaking about her policy positions. Archival acknowledged that while her family name helped introduce her to the public, it was not enough to win or surpass veteran opponents.

She noted that her campaign message resonated most with the youth, whom she described as thinking beyond the bounds of traditional politics.