His is known as Eddie Gul, beloved by the people, respected by other honest officials, envied by his enemies, adored by his family, and valued by the UV alumni as a true icon of greatness, a living exemplification of integrity, and a model of public servants.
Atty. Eduardo Rivera Gullas has the gentleness and humility of Don Sergio Osmeña Sr., the courage and determination of Don Mariano Jesus Cuenco, the brain and eloquence of Don Vicente and Don Filemon Sotto, the honesty of Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr., and the brilliant legal mind of Chief Justice Marcelo B. Fernan. He has the vision like that of Don Vicente Rama who authored the Cebu City charter, when he, Eddie Gul, authored the Talisay City Charter. Five times a congressman, former Deputy Speaker of the House and Majority Floor Leader, Talisay City mayor, former governor of Cebu (the best of them all), he is Cebu's most senior, most eminent leader who can unite all Cebuanos.
There is only one “breath of fresh air inside a catacomb of stench and decay.” In the midst of too many trapos today, and in a wide field of politicians in this generation, there is only one shining example of what a political leader should be. Others in government are apparently only there to perpetuate their family dynasties in power, if possible, forever, believing that they are God's gifts to the people. Many are there because they bear the magic names of their ancestors and forefathers and they perhaps believe, albeit mistakenly, that they have the divine right to rule over the masses. Eddie Gul is different, made of sterner stuff, bred by a great father and a very nurturing mother.
I have eight points to support my arguments: First, all the empirical data indicates that Eddie Gul has kept his honor unblemished by any shadow of doubt, integrity that has never been compromised. Second, he has remained humble despite his towering success. He walks with kings, to borrow the sages' words, but he still treat the small guys with respect. Third, Eddie Gul, in his words, actions and decisions, has a will that pursues goodness, and an intellect that always demands for the truth. Fourth, he is a faithful husband to his wife Norma, and father to his sons Eduardo Jr. and Gerald Anthony, and is affectionate to his grandchildren. Fifth, is his love for his brother Dodong, sister Inday Sering, and all his nephews and nieces and his devotion to the memory of his father, Papa Inting and his mother, Mama Pining.
Sixth, in his 40 years of public service, he has never been involved in any shady deal. He is decisive and quick but very careful when it comes to public funds. He is rich by himself and he has many chances to make money, but he has remained faithful to the trust of the people, the good boy of Nyor Inting and the honest son of Inday Pining. Seventh, Eddie Gul is a unifier, reconciler, and mediator of conflicts among of people, a team builder, not a sower of intrigues. He is neither quarrelsome nor controversial. He is decent, an epitome of propriety and decorum. And eighth, he is a very gracious and grateful man. He never forgets to say thank you and ask for pardon to others who might have misunderstood him. Eddie Gul is really the father that I wanted to have, honorable, honest, gentle, and true.
Cebu will never have another Eddie Gul. He is truly Don Vicente's and Inday Pining's legacy to us all. He is now in his eighties and they do not make men like him anymore. He is one, and “sui generis,” a very hard act to follow, but one who truly inspires and gives hope that in the midst of greed, avarice, and lust for wealth and power, there is a man who remained clean and unblemished, Eddie Gul.