‘Why force myself?’: Canoy willing to bolt party if not endorsed

CEBU, Philippines - San Fernando Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy is willing to leave Liberal Party if he is not chosen as the party’s bet for congressman in the first district.

“As much as possible, mag-LP ko, mag-Liberal Party ko unless ila kong palagputon. Nganong ako mang idutdot ang akong kaugalingon kung dili sila ganahan nako,” said Canoy, one of the original members of the party in the district.

The mayor’s statements came after Talisay Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante and City Councilors Danilo Caballero and Aldin Diaz formally announced their separation from LP.

“Nganong sila naman hinuon ang magbuot, mura’g hawod naman kaayo sila nga dili man unta sila Liberal Party members,” Canoy said, referring to Alayon leaders.

Canoy, 70, is aiming to dislodge the Gullases from their stronghold in the first district.

The district is currently represented in the Congress by 30-year-old bachelor, Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas.

Canoy and the rest of the original members of the LP are set to meet next week with Interior Secretary and LP standard bearer Mar Roxas to decide who between them and Gullases’ local party, Alayon, will be the administration’s bets in the district.

So where will Canoy go if he leaves LP? He said he has invitations from another party.

Canoy said problems arise when the Alayon party forged the alliance with LP because it will dislodge original members.

“I will wait for the final meeting of LP next week. If dili ko makauyon  sa nasabutan, then we will decide,” the mayor said.

The Alayon was founded by former congressman Eduardo Gullas in 1986 and had never affiliated with a national party.

It only formed a coalition with the Progressive Movement of Devolution of Initiatives (Promdi) in 1998 to help the presidential bid of former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña.

In 1998 and 2001, Canoy won as mayor under the Lakas-NUCD and Promdi while Gullas ran and won as mayor in Talisay City and as congressman in 2004 under the Alayon.

When Gullas ran for a second term as congressman in 2007, his party was Alayon-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He then became Kampi chairman for the first district.

When Kampi merged with Lakas-CMD, the rules put Gullas as chairman of the administration coalition.

In 2010, Gullas supported the presidential bid of then senator Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party.

Canoy said he is determined and ready to challenge the Alayon citing that he has already the complete lineup for the entire district and that he has a “little” edge against the Gullases, especially in Talisay City which he said is expected to be the deciding vote.

With 113,216 registered voters as of 2013, the city is under the administration of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, an ally of Canoy.

The Gullases have been criticized for allegedly refusing to turn over their reign of power to a new breed of leaders.

The family, however, does not see their hold over the district that way.

Gullas said that their detractors cannot accuse the family of dominating the politics in the first district because it is the people who chose to keep them in power. (FREEMAN)