Political brawl in 1st district 'to test Davide'

CEBU, Philippines - The leadership of  the provincial Liberal Party chairman Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III will be put to test by resolving the conflict on who will truly represent the party in the first district, a mayor said.

"What will happen to the alliances of Liberal Party with Alayon?" Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong said as he believes that the statement issued by Davide creates a chain reaction, especially to the Alayon party.

Chiong also pointed out that there will be chain reaction especially in Talisay City since Alayon will be supporting former congressman Eduardo Gullas who will be challenging incumbent Mayor Johnny De los Reyes.

Chiong, who is on his third and last term and will be serving as campaign manager of Cebu Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas, admitted that the mayors were dismayed and hurt when the governor said that the congressman was not the official chairman of the district.

The first district is composed of the cities of Talisay, Naga and Carcar, and municipalities of Minglanilla, San Fernando and Sibonga. Of the six, only Talisay City and San Fernando are not currently controlled by Alayon.

Chiong also said that he heard when the governor told their congressman that he was the choice of LP standard bearer Interior Secretary Mar Roxas III, who is expected to run for president, as the official chairman of the district.

"He (Samsam) might be young but he is taking good care of his district. He performed his function as congressman and visit his district everytime he is not in session," Chiong said as he reiterated that LP should place the entire district under free zone.

Samsam will be challenged by San Fernando Mayor Abe Canoy, who is affiliated with LP as well.

De los Reyes has insisted that he was appointed as LP chairman in the city for the coming 2016 elections and Canoy as district chairman of the LP.

Roxas is expected to be here in Cebu next week to resolve the escalating issue of the district.

In a separate interview, Samsam is hoping that LP issue will be resolve. "We will wait for the final decision. Whether favorable or not, our support has no condition," Samsam said, explaining that their support for Roxas and Davide has not changed despite the earlier announcement of the governor.

The Alayon Party is in coalition with the LP and has already expressed its support to Davide, who is gunning for re-election, and Roxas who is running for president.

After the denial of Davide that Samsam was already appointed as district chairman, the governor reportedly communicated with Gullas through text messages saying "I hope you understand my situation" as he is reportedly torn between two groups who are supporting him.

Samsam did not categorically deny or admit that the governor texted him.

"To understand his situation, I don't want to go into details. Let's put it there, I understand because he is our governor," he said. — Garry B. Lao (FREEMAN)