Rep. Samsam Gullas running for mayor?

CEBU, Philippines – The regular session of the Talisay City Council yesterday was suspended and postponed due to “very important meeting” among councilors of the Alayon Party of the Gullas’s bloc.

Councilor Socrates Fernandez, of Alayon, called Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante asking for the postponement of the regular session because he and partymates were attending the meeting, which the vice mayor later told The Freeman was allegedly called by former mayor and congressman, Eduardo “Eddiegul” Gullas.

The session’s suspension however fanned rumors, spreading within the City Hall, that there will be a swapping of positions between Eddiegul and his grandson, incumbent Representative Samsam Gullas (1st district, Cebu).

The rumors said Samsam, instead of going for re-election, will now be running for city mayor, while Eddiegul will no longer vie for the mayoralty and run instead for the congressional seat.

The two would swap positions, as shown in their respective certificates of candidacy, allegedly as a way of resolving the age issues being thrown by their respective opponents.

Councilor Richard Francis “Choy” Aznar, an Alayon member and the Council’s majority floor leader, however said the rumors were unfounded but were plain intrigues sown to muddle the politicial scenario and confuse the public.

Aznar said the Alayon members of the Council only requested for a postponement of the session because of an important meeting among them. He however refused to elaborate on what kind of meeting was that.

Villarante said he was prompted to suspend and defer the session considering that the Alayon members dominate the number of City Council members.

Without the Alayon councilors, the session could not have a quorum, he said, adding that the session will instead be held today. (FREEMAN)