Samsam tells city govt: Forget politics

CEBU, Philippines - First district Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas yesterday appealed to the Talisay City government to put aside politics and instead focus its attention on public service.

“Kung atong lisud-lisuron ang mga tawo, kinsa may mo-suffer? Dili sila, dili pud ako, kung dili ang mga tawo. And that is something we should avoid. So, let’s put politics aside and put Talisay first,” said Samsam in an interview with The Freeman.

Gullas’ statement came after the city administration branded the additional workers at the Talisay City College as midnight appointees signed up before former mayor Socrates Fernandez’s term expired.

Last week, city lawyer Alfredo Sipalay also ordered the termination of about 60 Talisay Aide Volunteer (TAV) teachers for the same reason.

Opposition Councilor Dennis Basillote, chairman on Council Committee on Education, regards the termination of the volunteers as a political reprisal, city administrator John Eyre insists the city had to do it to save on funds on account of a deficit of P39 million the present administration has inherited.

The additional workers at the college had to wait for two months before getting paid because they were hired months before Mayor Delos Reyes took office.

“We should never deny the kids education. And that’s what TCC is all about,” Gullas said in reference to the current situation at the college.

Gullas, who is not politically allied with Delos Reyes, admitted he is not getting support from city hall as he implements his projects in Talisay.

But he said he is thankful that majority of the city councilors — nine of them — and 21 of the city’s 22 barangay captains are identified with his party, Alayon, through which he courses his projects such as the asphalt-overlaying, road-concreting, among others.