With the Gullases in the LP, Winston loses a major ally

The Gullases, and that include former Congressman Eddie Gullas, his brother, former Congressman Dodong Gullas, and the grandson, incumbent Samsam Gullas are all decent and honorable politicians. They play fair and have never been linked to any shenanigan in public service. In the last local elections, the Gullases were reportedly aligned with the Garcias, as the Gullas patriarch made it clear that they would support both former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia (during her time) and the aspiring governor, Pablo John Garcia in 2013. The LP has chosen Samsam as LP chair in the first, Governor Davide reportedly objected. But he is the unintended beneficiary of this unexpected turn of events.

The Garcias may have the dream to establish history in Cebu by being the first family to have the father and two children as duly-elected governors of the province. Not even Don Sergio Osmeña or Don Vicente Rama ever achieved that. This dream however was frustrated when incumbent governor Hilario P Davide III defeated Pablo John with one of the biggest plurality in Cebu history. Today, Pablo John is reported to be aspiring for congressman in Cebu's newest seventh district. And there is a strong possibility that he will make it, since the southeastern towns of Cebu are easier to dominate than the second district before, with Argao and Dalaguete beyond the Garcia's political influence.

Former Governor Gwendolyn F.  Garcia easily won election and two reelections during her time largely because of the support of the Gullases in the first district. But now, since the Gullas have declared their Liberal Party affiliation, and with Congressman Samsam Gullas as party chairman for the whole district, Winston will most probably lose no less than a block of two hundred fifty thousand votes. Davide was already poised to win over Garcia even without the Gullases' support. But now, the fates of Winston Garcia and Junjun Davide respectively as aspiring governors have virtually been sealed. Davide will win by a landslide with Gullas in the LP.

The truth of the matter is that this unexpected blessing to Governor Junjun, meaning the LP support and affiliation of the Gullases, is not so much because the Gullases love the Davides more than the Garcias. It is rather due to the long and very close ties between the Roxases and the Gullases. It is a long story and we do not have the space to narrate it. Suffice it to say that Eddiegul has had some pleasant links with the late Gerry Roxas, the father of Mar Roxas. And since the Gullases are really faithful to good friends, even Mar and Junjun will yield a collateral advantage out of such old links. But if Junjun is true to his principles, would he abandon the original LP's in the first district in favor of ALAYON?

The Gullases may not stand as  LP only insofar as the national candidates are concerned. They should be LP too in the provincial and district levels. And so, since they are committed to Mar Roxas, they should also be supporting Junjun Davide. And knowing the character of Eddiegul, he is very reliable and trustworthy, the dream of Winston may have suffered a major blow with this political realignment. Junjun's victory in the first district, the richest district in Cebu province, when it comes to voting population, is virtually in the bag. The Davide majority in both the first and the second districts will seal that victory. The other districts will provide the icing in the cake.

There are many issues thrown at Governor Junjun Davide. But none is about dishonesty, much less corruption. The name of Davide has never been associated with graft. If he is quite slow-moving or less dynamic, it is because he is very careful about integrity and rectitude in public service. There are many active and fast-moving politicians in our province who are facing many graft charges. They have allegedly done a lot but their names are blemished with serious blots in character.g There also others who want to become governors promising bigger airports and better highways. But their family has been in the Capitol for decades, why bring up these grandiose plans only now ? The people of Cebu know how to choose. And so, may the best man win indeed.