Businessman challenges Gullas for Talisay mayor

 CEBU, Philippines - The Liberal Party in Cebu first district is fielding a businessman to run for mayor in Talisay City against Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo “Eddiegul” Gullas.

Johnny Delos Reyes, owner of the company that popularized canker sore drops, earlier vowed not to run again in any election after losing a number of times.  But yesterday he filed his Certificate of Candidacy after getting LP’s nomination as official candidate.

LP only has eight candidates for the city council. These are incumbent councilors Danilo “Danny” Caballero and Valeriano “Val” Ylanan, Lee Consul, Aldin Diaz, Bensing Raguindin, Clifford delos Reyes, Serenia Cabanero Tantog and Thomas Emboscado.

Delos Reyes said he wanted to run for city councilor but decided to run for mayor saying he is not afraid to challenge Gullas.

“Wala ko mahadlok sa akong kontra. Kung dili ko modagan pagka-mayor, asa man mo padung?” he told his supporters after he filed his COC.

Delos Reyes explained that he is not afraid of Gullas because the congressman’s opponent is not him but the people of Talisay City, who he said are not satisfied with the present administration’s performance.

Delos Reyes also ran for Talisay mayor in 2007 and for provincial board member in 2010 under the Liberal Party.  He lost both times.  He also ran twice for councilor and once for vice mayor in past elections but also failed.

Gullas said he is ready to face whoever will challenge him and said his campaign will be clean and will not involve mudslinging. 

This is the second time he will run for mayor of the Talisay City, first serving from 2001 to 2004.

Aside from Eddiegul, two of his grandsons are running for elective positions in 2013. Incumbent Talisay City councilor Eduardo “Digul” Gullas III is seeking reelection while his brother Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas aims to succeed his grandfather in Congress.

Eddiegul’s running mate will be the incumbent Vice Mayor Alan Bucao. Outgoing Mayor Socrates Fernandez is running for councilor under Eddiegul’s Alayon Party.

Incumbent councilors Semy Cabuenas, Richard Francis “Choy” Aznar, Edward Alesna and Dennis Basillote are also seeking reelection under the Alayon Party.

Joining Eddiegul’s lineup are Pooc Barangay Captain Doroteo Emit, Barangay Tabunok Councilman Niño Rabaya, Tanke Barangay Councilman Rey Abarquez and Antonio “Jojo” Bacaltos Jr.

San Fernando rematch

The 2013 race for the mayor in the second-class municipality of San Fernando will be a rematch between incumbent Mayor Antonio Canoy and former mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya.

This after Canoy filed his Certificate of Candidacy for mayor and withdrew his ambitions for Congress.  His running mate is his son, incumbent Vice Mayor Miko Canoy.

Yesterday morning Neneth also filed to run for mayor while her husband, Barangay Panadtaran captain Ricardo Reluya, will be her vice mayor.

“It is best for a rematch aron makit-an nato kung kinsa gyud ang tinuoray nga midaog niadtong 2010,” Neneth said.

Neneth believes she still has the support of her constituents, noting the slim margin of votes by which she lost in 2010.

She said having her Alayon party mates, councilors Noel Tatoy, Rudy Taping, Benny Panuncial, and Ramy Sasuman in the town council will also be a big help to her next year.

Of the 21 barangays of San Fernando, Neneth said six are still loyal to her.

Neneth was elected as the first woman mayor of San Fernando in 2007.(FREEMAN)