CEBU, Philippines - Acting Governor Agnes Magpale cannot expect the full support of voters from the first district despite the commitment of Rep. Eduardo Gullas.
Acting Vice Governor Julian Daan confided that some mayors and barangay captains allied with Gullas prefer to support the tandem of third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia and former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy†Durano IV.
Gullas, who heads the local Alayon Party, is supporting Garcia of One Cebu for governor and Magpale of Liberal Party for vice governor.
Daan said that candidates allied with One Cebu in the first district cannot join Gullas in supporting Magpale because every time she visits their place, LP candidates are the ones meeting her.
He said that some barangay health workers also refused to heed their barangay captains’ move to support Magpale.
“Wa may mahimo ang mga kapitan kay di man mokuyog ang mga BHW, PJ ug Boboy man sila,†Daan said. (There’s nothing the barangay captains can do. The health workers are supporting PJ and Boboy.)
Gullas’ grandson, Gerald Anthony “Sam-Sam†Gullas Jr., is running unopposed for congressman under the Alayon-Nacionalista Party.
However, LP fielded local candidates in some towns and cities in the first district against the candidates of Gullas except in Naga City and Sibonga.
Rep. Gullas is even facing Johnny delos Reyes, an LP bet for mayor in Talisay City. LP also has one candidate for the Provincial Board, Cebu City councilor Raul Alcoseba against incumbents Daan and Sergio Restauro of One Cebu.
The presence of LP gubernatorial candidate, Hilario Davide III, during the groundbreaking of the P28.2-million road widening and improvement of the Lagtang Bridge in Naga City last Friday with Rep. Gullas has raised eyebrows if the veteran lawmakers still supports Garcia.
Gullas clarified that he merely acknowledged Davide who was with Cebu City Rep. Tomas Osmeña, adding that he continues to support Garcia’s gubernatorial bid.
Garcia also expressed confidence that Gullas is supporting him, knowing the relationship between their families. — (FREEMAN)