Samsam slams Canoy’s challenge

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas yesterday slammed a town mayor for questioning the loyalty of his grandfather, former congressman Eduardo "Eddiegul" Gullas.

In a statement, Samsam said San Fernando town mayor Antonio "Abe" Canoy's doubt on Eddiegul's political loyalty is anchored on "fear of being politically sidelined."

"Obviously, the statements made by him (Canoy) are self-serving. He should devote his focus more on the appalling issues in the municipality of San Fernando," Samsam said.

Canoy, in an earlier report, wondered if Eddiegul consulted the Nacionalista Party or asked permission from former senator Manuel Villar and Senator Cynthia Villar, for openly expressing his intent to support Mar Roxas' candidacy in the 2016 polls.

Eddiegul is a Nacionalista member and founded the Alayon Party while Roxas is the president-on-leave of the ruling Liberal Party. Canoy, meanwhile, is LP Cebu first district's chair.

According to the report, Canoy said Eddiegul should make a stand on his political loyalty.

But Samsam said as former representative of the first district, Eddiegul is not bound to pick a side and test his loyalty to his political party because in the first place, there is a standing coalition between the Nacionalista Party and Liberal Party.

"In fact, had it not for the efforts of  (former)  congressman Eduardo Gullas, there would have been no coalition from the two major political parties in the Philippines. The coalition between the two parties is seen to better serve the people of the first district," Samsam added.

CLOSE TIES

Further, Samsam pointed out that Mar Roxas' candidacy comes with the approval and permission of former senator Villar, hence, Eddiegul "is not, as described by the words of Canoy, riding in two horses at the same time."

Samsam said the Gullases and the Roxases have been in close ties and that the relationship between two families is personal.

Eddiegul, as the governor of Cebu, supported the candidacy of Gerardo Roxas as senator and vice president in 1963 and 1965, respectively. Gerardo is Mar's father and son of former president Manuel Roxas.

"(Former) senator Gerardo Roxas even slept at the house of former congressman Eduardo Gullas everytime he visited Cebu. Not to mention that he is the godfather in the baptism of my dad," Samsam illustrated.      

According to the young legislator, his grandfather is not prohibited by any law to endorse any candidate so long as he sees them fit for the position, saying that what is revealed by this circumstance is the thought that Eddiegul is, after all, aiming for the welfare of the first district.

There has been a manifesto among the mayors of Minglanilla, Sibonga, Naga and Carcar that they will support the candidacy of Governor Junjun Davide and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, as Cebu governor and president, respectively, come 2016. The towns mentioned represent the majority composition of the first district. (FREEMAN)