JVR says local LP members will ask Roxas to choose between them and Alayon
Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes, shown here shaking hands with Councilor Eduardo Gullas during the State of the City Address in this July 15 file photo, made it clear that he is against the free zone proposal of the Alayon party.
Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II will have to choose between the LP loyalists in Cebu’s 1st district or the Alayon party of the Gullas family.
Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes said he will ask Roxas to make the decision when they meet on Sept. 12.
At the same time, he challenged the Gullases not to run in next year’s elections if they are sincere in supporting LP and Roxas’s bid for the presidency.
“Ayaw lang mo panglansar…ayaw mo panglansar kay aron walay kontra ug sa ato pa misakripisyo sila tungod ug alang ni (Just don’t run for public office…don’t run so there won’t be any opposition. What I meant was they should sacrifice just for Mar) Roxas,” delos Reyes said during the weekly 888 News Forum yesterday.
The mayor is seeking reelection and expects to run anew against former 1st district Rep. Eduardo Gullas in the mayoral race.
Support
San Fernando Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy is expected to run for congressman against re-electionist 1st district Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas.
The LP first district leaders voiced outrage over last week’s announcement by the younger Gullas that he has been appointed as the first district chairman of the LP, replacing Canoy.
Rep. Gullas said he stepped back to avoid any conflict with LP members and call for a free zone in Cebu’s 1st district in order to ensure victory for Roxas and the reelection of Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.
During the forum, delos Reyes admitted that he and the LP members in the district met with Davide, who assured them of his support.
But the governor said they still have to wait for Roxas’s final decision.
De los Reyes said he is against the free zone proposal of Gullas.
“I won’t agree to a free zone. Why would we compete when we’re supposed to be allies? We can live without them. We want Alayon to support us,” the mayor said.
In Lapu-Lapu City, businessman Rene Espina Jr. also said he will ask Roxas to choose between the LP members in the city and the Radazas.
Espina recently announced his intention to run for congressman in the lone district of Lapu-Lapu City under the LP banner.
“I will come face to face with Secretary Roxas. He should choose between those fakes or the original LP members,” Espina said, referring to him and businessman Efrain Pelaez, who will run for mayor against incumbent Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.
Espina, the son of former Cebu governor Rene Espina, said a free zone won’t help Roxas’s candidacy in Cebu.
He recalled that two former House speakers, the late Ramon Mitra and Jose de Venecia, agreed to a free zone and lost their bids for the presidency.
Espina said the Radazas allied with the LP to avoid prosecution for their graft cases.
“I will have them jailed,” Espina said when asked what he will do if elected congressman.