Broken-hearted Teban files COC for PB seat

Former Provincial Board member and radioman Julian "Teban" Daan has pursued his plan to run for a seat at the PB reportedly "broken-hearted" after the group of first district Rep. Eduardo "Eddie" Gullas allegedly dropped him.

Daan filed his certificate of candidacy yesterday at the Commission on Elections inside the Capitol compound. He was accompanied by his wife, Yolanda, and other members of his family, and supporters.

He is running as an independent candidate, but claimed he has the support of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, an ally of Gullas.

Daan is the governor's consultant on barangay affairs whose contract will expire on June 30.

Earlier, it was reported that he would run for a PB seat along with incumbent PB member Juan Bolo under Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) party that Gullas chaired in the district.

But it reportedly surprised him when he learned that businessman Walter "Boy" Selma, a brother of Minglanilla Mayor Eduardo Selma, filed his certificate of candidacy for a PB seat at the provincial office of the Comelec last March 24 with a Kampi nomination.

Daan said that in a meeting called by Gullas for leaders of the first district, it was "so clear that Gullas raised his hand with Bolo as a sign that he is already officially proclaimed candidate."

"Nahugno ko! Daghan nang higayon nga mora ko og gipunit, gilabay, unya gipunit na sad, nya gilabay na pud. Maong nibarog na lang gyud ko," Daan said after he had filed his COC.

Due to the alliance of One Cebu Party of Garcia and Alayon of Gullas that both belong to Kampi, the governor can no longer field candidates in the first district prompting Daan to run as an independent candidate.

But Gullas clarified he did not drop Daan, saying that "only the latter believed otherwise."

Gullas said that earlier, the group in Talisay City led by Mayor Socrates Fernandez and Vice Mayor Aberdovey Belleza wanted Daan to lead the councilorial slate as their party lacked one candidate that time.

The group even explained that what benefits Daan gets in the Capitol and at the PB are the same benefits he would get in Talisay City including the accommodation of his staff and other entitlements, according to Gullas.

He added Daan did not heed the request because the latter is interested in the PB seat.

Daan believes Gullas is "getting back at him" after he left the group in the 2004 elections and instead ran for vice governor in tandem with Governor Garcia. He lost to Vice Governor Gregorio "Greg" Sanchez, Jr. - Gregg M. Rubio/MEEV