Former congressman Eduardo Gullas marked his 84th birthday by filing his certificate of candidacy to run for mayor of Talisay City yesterday.
He filed his papers under the Nacionalista Party (NP) and his local Alayon party, leading supporters in red and green T-shirts who filled the Talisay City Hall grounds.
Gullas said he was consoled by the fact that the Liberal Party didn’t issue a certificate of nomination for anyone seeking to challenge the reelection bid of his grandson Rep. Anthony “Samsam” Gullas in the 1st district.
“Walay lain nga Liberal Party ang gihatagan og certificate of nomination (No other LP member was given a certificate of nomination ,” he said.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III confirmed this, saying the LP Cebu chapter that he chairs didn’t issue the certificate of nomination (CONA) to San Fernando Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy.
The LP was placed in a quandary when Canoy said he wanted to run for congress, but Samsam Gullas of Alayon, was claiming he was designated the LP district chairman in the district.
“I informed him I cannot issue him a CONA because (LP standard-bearer Mar) Roxas confirmed that he is supporting Rep. Gullas,” Davide said.
Barred
The governor said Mayor Canoy accepted this even if he is still determined to run.
Cebu Daily News tried to reach Canoy but was unable to get through.
Davide issued CONAs to candidates in the cities of Talisay, Naga, and Carcar.
At the Talisay City Hall grounds, Gullas and members filed their certificates of candidacies at 8 a.m.
Gullas is running for mayor against the incumbent Mayor Johnny delos Reyes of LP.
While Alayon aligns with LP to support Governor Davide’s 2016 reelection run, the LP supports delos Reyes.
Though they are allied with NP, Gullas said they have managed to keep their friendship with Roxas’s family.
Gullas said his friendship with the Roxas family dates back to the 1960’s when the late Gerry Roxas, Mar’s father, ran for vice president.
Gullas said he and grandson Samsam were not expecting to get an LP nomination, but they continue to support the national party.
Party lines
“It’s not possible for two national parties to each issue a certificate of nomination to a local party,” the elder Gullas said in a radio interview.
Mayor delos Reyes is scheduled to file his candidacy tomorrow while Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante who recently left LP will file his candidacy for mayor today.
Samsam said Alayon will support the reelection bid of Davide and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and the LP tandem of Roxas for president and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo for vice president.
“We have to cross party lines with (former) Secretary Mar because it’s not a party relationship, but a personal relationship with the family. Tito Manny (Villar) has been very understanding,” he said, referring to the Nacionalista Party president.
Others who filed their candidacies were former Talisay City vice mayor Alan Bucao, who will run for the same post; Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña and Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong.
Chiong’s daughter Christine will run for mayor.
His son “Boy” will run for vice mayor.