Pepito assures fairness as acting vice mayor

Councilor Winston Pepito yesterday, Oct. 9, assumed the role of acting vice mayor of Cebu City, as Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña has gone on medical leave for more than a month.

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Pepito, a councilor from the north district, who garnered the highest number of votes among his peers, will serve as acting vice mayor from Oct. 9 to Nov. 22, 2025.

In an interview yesterday, Pepito said there will be no drastic changes, as he will simply continue with what Osmeña has started. He said his assumption as vice mayor is only temporary.

Pepito said the council is now preoccupied with preparations for the 2026 Sinulog celebration, adding that resolutions related to this annual grand event have been forwarded for the council's approval, as well as the deliberation of the 2026 annual budget.

As of yesterday, Pepito said the council already received an initial copy of the budget proposal from the executive branch. He said receiving an advance copy of the budget proposal is important so the legislative body can prepare ahead of the budget marathon hearings.