Opposition to look for bets to field vs. Gullas, Bucao

CEBU, Philippines - City Councilor Valeriano “Val” Ylanan yesterday said he is interested to vie for the vice-mayoralty position, and will bring up the matter with Liberal Party provincial head Hilario “Junjun” Davide III when they meet on Friday. 

“I may ran for vice mayor,” Ylanan said, adding that he is ready to face incumbent Vice Mayor Alan Bucao.

If the party endorses him for the vice mayoralty post, Ylanan said he will also allow his wife, barangay Linao captain Ofelia, to run for city council. 

Ylanan said running against the incumbent is not going to be easy.  

Ylanan, who ran with Alayon in 2010, joined the opposition by taking his oath with the Liberal Party months after the election.

Ylanan called himself a “victim” of a political bloodshed designed by his own party, which critics believe was jealous of his making it to the third rank, beating most of the incumbents.

How Ylanan got such unexpected number of votes allegedly irritated the people in his team.

Romeo Villarante, another opposition councilor, said he will run for mayor if his group decides to field him. Rep. Eduardo Gullas has announced his intention to seek the mayoralty post in the city. 

Gullas, who is on his third term as congressman, is prevented from seeking reelection due to term limits.

This will be the second time the veteran politician will run for mayor in Talisay. He was the mayor of the city from 2001 to 2004.

Asked if he is willing to run for mayor against Gullas, the councilor said he will let the LP decide on the matter. 

Unlike Ylanan and Villarante, councilor Danilo Caballero, who is with the LP, said he will seek reelection. - THE FREEMAN