Cebu vice gov hit for still hosting radio program

CEBU — Vice Gov. Nanding Celeste may not make it to the May 14 polls due to a technicality.

Celeste may be disqualified from running for governor if it is proven that he violated Commission on Elections (Comelec) laws for continuing to anchor his radio program after he had filed his certificate of candidacy.

Gov. Pablo Garcia, who is seeking re-election, said his party will be monitoring Celeste’s radio program in the wake of reports that the vice governor was still anchoring the slot over station dyHP.

Celeste regularly anchors a news and public affairs program from 6 to 8 a.m. and from 8 to 10 p.m.

Marcial Rubia, Comelec assistant regional director, said there is a Comelec resolution prohibiting such acts, to level the playing field.

"Violation of such resolution would mean disqualification of the candidate," he said.

However, Rubia said the Comelec will only start to monitor Celeste and other broadcasters seeking elective posts starting Feb. 28, the deadline of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs).

But after Celeste and the rest of the Alayon party candidates filed their COCs last Feb. 8, Garcia said they were already barred from campaigning. The campaign period for candidates seeking local elective posts starts on March 30 yet.

"He may be held liable for premature campaigning," Garcia said.

Meanwhile, Gerald Anthony Gullas declined the other day the draft to run for congressman in the first district to succeed his father, Rep. Eduardo Gullas, saying, "Politics is not my cup of tea."

The younger Gullas is the vice president for finance and administration of the family-owned University of the Philippines.

Didi opted to concentrate on his work at the university despite the endorsement of 127 of 130 barangay chairmen and municipal officials and leaders in the first district. — Freeman News Service