Basillote’s departure from Alayon surprises Rep. Samsam Gullas

CEBU, Philippines - For first district Representative Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, Talisay City Councilor Dennis Basillote’s decision to leave Alayon was unexpected, Basillote being one of the pillars of the party. 

The young Gullas declined to comment further on Basillote’s exit for the reason that he only learned about it from the media.

Gullas is in Manila for the sessions in Congress.  

In an interview with The Freeman, Basillote confirmed his exit from the party. 

“I am leaving Alayon. I am now with Mayor JVR (Johnny De los Reyes). In my 24 years, I was loyal to the party and the Gullases, but the Gullases were not loyal to me,” Basillote said.

He said he has left the party with a heavy heart and disappointment.

Basillote said he fell out grace and blames the party’s leadership following his youngest son’s loss in the barangay election as captain of Dumlog against barangay councilman Nelson Abellana. 

Basillote has claimed that Alayon supported barangay councilman Nelson Abellana.

Rex Basillote lost with a margin of 800 votes.

Basillote’s elder brother, Charles, is the incumbent and the outgoing president of Association of Barangay Councils (ABC).

Basillote’s colleagues in Alayon also expressed surprise over the departure saying the young Gullas even accompanied Rex to the Comelec office on the day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC).

Gullas grandfather, former Cebu first district representative Eduardo Gullas, formed the Alayon party while governor of Cebu from 1976 to 1986, ran and won in the congressional contest in 1992. He then served for three consecutive terms.  (FREEMAN)