Text rumors belied, Eddiegul is alive

CEBU, Philippines - First District Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas has denied text rumors that his grandfather, Talisay City Mayor-elect Eduardo Gullas, passed away.

The Freeman Banat News received a text message yesterday supposedly coming from a taxi driver asking if the report was true. The taxi driver claimed to have heard it from his passengers.

Another text rumors circulating yesterday stated that Eddiegul succumbed to cardiac arrest. A nurse that supposedly attended to him allegedly leaked the information.

But, Samsam belied the rumors. The young congressman posted a picture of him and his grandfather in his Facebook account.

Samsam believes that the rumors came from the political rivals of his grandfather who could not accept their defeat in the last elections.

"I've heard of rumors and plain lies going around Talisay that my grandfather nasakit na daw. Ang ubang isturya gikuha na daw sa Ginoo. Is this the only thing left in your bag of tricks? Desperado ra kaayo mo. Talisay has spoken and they spoke loudly, wala na sila nakauyon sa inyong liderato. So to whoever is spreading these lies, stop it, be a man and accept defeat," Samsam said.

He added that their opponents should learn how to be humble and accept defeat.

"Accept defeat and be humble. If my grandfather could do it when (he) lost by 700 votes in 2013, hopefully you can do it after losing by 40,000 votes. Stop the rumors," Samsam said.

"My grandfather is as happy as ever and as healthy as ever. Come July, he will show you the legacy he will leave the City of Talisay. He will show everyone the change that you supposedly promised," he added.

Eddiegul won in the rematch with outgoing Mayor Johnny "JVR" de los Reyes and other candidates vying for the position, including Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante and Araceli Capala-Go. — (FREEMAN)