Eddiegul: I'm ready to serve Talisay again

CEBU, Philippines - Former Cebu first district congressman Eduardo Gullas broke his silence and unveiled the possibility of him running against incumbent Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes in a 2016 rematch.

"Sa mga pangutana kun modagan ba ko sa Talisay City, andam ko pagserbisyo kun tugutan pa sa atong kaigsuonan sa Talisay ug kung duna'y kahigayonan," Gullas said yesterday during his 84th birthday celebration held at the Villa Gallegos in Barangay Biasong.

The announcement of Gullas drew loud applause from his political supporters.

The birthday celebration was attended by Mayor Lani Peña and Vice Mayor Jojo Selma of Minglanilla; Mayor Valdemar Chiong and Vice Mayor Delfin Señor of the City of Naga; Sibonga Mayor Lionel Bacaltos and Vice Mayor Cirilo Apuda; former mayor Lakambini Reluya of San Fernando and former mayor and City Councilor Socrates Fernandez of Talisay City.

Gullas, who was mayor of Talisay from 2001 to 2004 after serving three terms in Congress, said his expertise and experience in public service will be helpful in this yearned bid.

He was elected member of the House of Representatives in 1969 and also became Cebu governor.

"Tingali sa kataas sa atong panuigon, basin pa diay maharuhay," Gullas said.

Gullas also said he called up Speaker Sonny Belmonte on his proposal to return to manual voting procedures.

In the last May 2013, Gullas lost to De los Reyes by a slim margin. Delos Reyes got 39,453 votes while Gullas had 38,717 votes.

Gullas expressed doubt about the PCOS machines but then conceded his defeat.

The former congressman attributed his decision to transfer the vendors at the old public market in Barangay Tabunok to Barangay Langtad as one of the factors that led to his loss.

The market vendors strongly opposed the transfer of the public market, saying it had affected their livelihood since the new location was not accessible and was near a river.

Should he push through with the plan, the former congressman said he is not certain yet as to who will be his running mate.

Visible in yesterday's gathering were former Talisay City vice mayors Aberdovey Belleza and Alan Bucao.

The revealing statement of Gullas opens the possibility of a three-way fight for the mayoralty post in 2016 between him, De los Reyes and Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, who is also an ally of De los Reyes.

Political relationship between De los Reyes and Villarante used to be sour because of their differences in their stand regarding the construction of the new Tabunok public market.

Separately, De los Reyes confirmed that he is seeking for re-election while Villarante is mum on his plan for the next election.

Meanwhile, in the same gathering, Gullas told his allies that he will let his grandson, Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas Jr., seek for re-election.

Samsam ran and won unopposed as representative of Cebu's first district, obtaining a total of 153,514 votes.

The administration's Liberal Party did not put up a candidate against Gullas Jr., who ran under the Nacionalista Party.

"Ako malaomom nga atong mga mayor, vice mayor, konsehales ug mga barangay opisyales nga mag-usa kita. Ako wala mahadlok ug nagtuo nga si Samsam magmadaogon," the elder Gullas said.

In 2016, the young Gullas is expected to face San Fernando Mayor Antonio "Abe" Canoy.

Early on, Canoy downplayed reports that the Alayon Party of the Gullases will join the Liberal Party.

Canoy told reporters that perhaps Samsam dreads the possibility of him running.

"Why do you think Samsam is joining LP? Is he scared that I might run for the same office under LP?"

Canoy said, adding that the Gullases have been "lording" the first district for years already and that he is contemplating, though not yet final, on running for Congress.

However, Samsam said that the mayor should "not feel insecure" should Alayon decide to join the LP. He maintained that the Gullases have been "lording" the district because "it was the people who put us in the position."