JVR ready for Eddiegul rematch

CEBU, Philippines - The camp of Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes is ready for a rematch against former congressman Eduardo Gullas in the 2016 mayoralty elections.

"We are ready for the 2016 election rematch," De los Reyes said, adding that it will be the voice of the Talisaynons that will prevail in the end.

The statement of De los Reyes came after Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas announced that the Alayon Party will be fielding in Gullas and former vice mayor Alan Bucao for mayor and vice mayor, respectively, in Talisay.

It can be recalled in 2013, Gullas, the founding chairman of Alayon, lost by 736 votes against De los Reyes. The mayor got 39,453 votes while Gullas had 38,717 votes.

De los Reyes’ runningmate, Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, won by garnering 27,974 votes compared to Bucao’s 27,232 votes.

"The Talisaynons knew already that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people of the City of Talisay," De los Reyes said.

De los Reyes and Villarante have accepted that they could not run together as they did in 2013. De los Reyes is now eyeing former vice mayor Aberdovey Belleza as his runningmate since Villarante decided to withdraw support from the incumbent mayor.

Both De los Reyes and Villarante belong to the Liberal Party while Gullas’ party is affiliated with the Nacionalista Party.

Villarante, a lawyer by profession, will also be running for mayor with City Councilor Danilo Caballero as his runningmate.  The vice mayor, however, believes that the tandem of Gullas and Bucao will be strong if the group of the Liberal Party will be divided into two.

"Wala ko mahadlok if it will be a three-cornered fight. I believe that the Talisay voters will choose the right leader for the city," Villarante said, as they will stand as alternative candidate.

Villarante also revealed that Alayon offered him to be the runningmate of Gullas but he politely turned down the offer.

"Yes, there was a formal offer but I politely turned it down," Villarante said, explaining that his decision was based on the consultation among his leaders and supporters since there are perceived adverse reactions if he agrees to be the runningmate of Gullas.

Villarante said it will not look good for him to run with Gullas citing that during the 2013 elections, he is one of the vocal critics of the previous administration. (FREEMAN)