Digul denies PCL poll vote-buying, calls charge assault on councilors

CEBU, Philippines – Newly-elected vice president of the Philippine Councilors League Cebu Chapter Eduardo "Digul" Gullas III, the number one councilor of Talisay City, yesterday took exception to allegations made by fellow Talisay City councilor Romeo Villarante that vote-buying marred Wednesday's PCL election at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Villarante ran and lost to Danao City councilor Ivy Durano Meca for the PCL presidency.

Gullas, in a press statement, said the allegations of Villarante are an assault on the integrity and dignity of all the councilors in the Province of Cebu.

"It's an insult. The councilors cannot be bought," Gullas said.

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, in a press conference yesterday, claimed he received calls on the PCL election day from councilors who asked if the Liberal Party to which he belongs has a budget. "Naa bay for the boys," he quoted them as saying.

Sanchez, however, could not provide any names. Neither did he say from what town the councilors were.

But Gullas said it is not enough to just claim anything without proof. He said it is very easy to make claims but those who are alleging any anomaly should be responsible enough to back up their allegations with evidence, otherwise they are no better than just peddling old fishwives tales.

Meanwhile, the Talisay City Council is expected to commend Gullas on his election as vice president of the PCL Cebu chapter.

The Talisay City public information officer, Arturo Bas, said he will suggest to Vice Mayor Alan Bucao to give a commendation to Gullas by way of a resolution for inclusion in Tuesday's regular session.

Bas said it is an honor to Talisay to have one of its legislators voted to the second highest post in the PCL. Apart from being the youngest councilor in the country, Digul, the 18-year-old grandson of first district Rep Eduardo Gullas, is the youngest officer of PCL.

In last Wednesday's election of the league, Digul got a total of 414 votes, defeating Jeffrey Yapha of Pinamungajan.

Digul ran under Rep. Gullas' Alayon party in tandem with Meca of the One Cebu Party. - With Liv Campo/JST (THE FREEMAN)