Samsam dismayed over LP snub

CEBU, Philippines – First District Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas was dismayed over Governor Junjun Davide's move of giving Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) to the opponents of the former's mayoralty candidates from Alayon party.

Gullas earlier asked Davide of Liberal Party not to give CONA to the challengers of his mayors amid Alayon's support to the candidacy of Mar Roxas and Davide.

Gullas filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) under the Nacionalista Party-Alayon but expressed his support to the Liberal Party.

An official who refused to be named told The Freeman that Davide took them for granted thinking that he won in the last 2013 elections even without their support.

The Alayon supported Pablo John Garcia in the previous elections.

The official said they pity themselves since they are supporting a candidate who never looks back to them. "We will try our best just to win in next years polls," the official said.

Gullas will meet his mayors and discuss the matter. However, Gullas clarified that he will still support Roxas and Davide, despite the political development although he could not say the same on behalf of his mayors.

Two leaders from LP in the 2013 elections jumped ship to another party after Davide refused to give them CONA. Mayor Antonio Abe Canoy of San Fernando who is vying for congressional seat is now a member of Nationalist People's Coalition, together with Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante of Talisay City. Both officials support lawyer Winston Garcia as governor.

Davide gave CONA to Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, an opponent of Gullas' grandfather, former congressman Eduardo Gullas. However, the legislator did not take it as a big deal since De los Reyes is the incumbent mayor.