In Talisay: LP denies falling out of members

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes and allied partymates of the Liberal Party (LP) yesterday denied reports that they are on the verge of a political split.

Text messages have circulated inside the City Hall building, stating that Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, Councilors Valeriano Ylanan and Aldin Diaz and groups with the LP will be staging a rally in front of the Talisay City hall on October 8 to protest against de los Reyes.

"Karong October 8 duna koy nakuha nga information mag rally sila Vice Mayor, Hon. Val Ylanan, Hon. Alden Diaz ug uban pa kabahin sa imoha pagdala sa city hall (I have received information that this October 8, the Vice Mayor and councilors Val Ylanan and Alden Diaz and others will stage a protest against your management of the city hall)," the text message that was received by De los Reyes showed.

It further added that Villarante and all others that are allegedly planning to stage a rally will accuse the Gullas camp to be behind the protest.

"Ila nang ipagawas nga storya na kang Gullas nga grupo pero sila ang nagpaluyo karong October 8. A1 information ni mayor (They are planning to have it appear that these are Gullas' group. But they are really the ones behind the activity. This is an A1 information mayor)," the text message read.

The text messages added that the allied members were displeased over De los Reyes' management of the city, especially in the hiring of the job order employees.

Right after the election last May, campaign leaders of the local LP trooped to the office of  De los Reyes to express their grievances over the hiring of political workers at the Talisay City hall, stressing that supporters should be given priority.

After receiving the messages De los Reyes immediately called up his partymates to verify the alleged stage rally against him. De los Reyes believes that his vice mayor and allied councilors will not go behind his back.

In a separate interview with Villarante, he said they will stick with each other and no falling out will happen between the group.

"That text message is part of a demolition job against the party. We are united and no rally will be undertaken. Nganong amo manang buhaton? (Why would we do that?)" Villarante said.

Ylanan and Diaz also brushed off reports on the text messages saying that it was too early to talk about election. — (FREEMAN)