For 2016 polls: JVR is LP party chair in Talisay Villarante hopes party upholds principles amid sour relations with mayor

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes has been appointed chairman of the Liberal Party in the city for the coming 2016 elections.

The appointment was endorsed and signed by LP Secretary General Mel Senen Sarmiento in a certificate dated January 5.

“This is to certify that Johnny V. De los Reyes, the incumbent mayor and the highest elected mayor of the party in Talisay, is the duly appointed city chairperson of the Liberal Party in Talisay City, Cebu. This certification is issued for all legal intents and purposes and shall be valid until revoked,” the certification read. 

According to De los Reyes, the certification will prove that Liberal Party recognizes him as the chairman of the party in the city.

As city chapter chairman, he said he has the power to choose the party’s vice mayoralty candidate down to the councilors. 

Both De los Reyes and Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante belong to Liberal Party, but JVR is not likely to pick the latter as his runningmate in 2016 because of the political gap between the two.

De los Reyes had Villarante as runningmate in the 2013 polls.

Villarante, in a separate interview with The FREEMAN, said the designation of De los Reyes as Liberal Party chairman of the city is understandable because he is the incumbent mayor. 

“Being the city mayor, JVR is deemed to be the Liberal Party chairman of the city. As to my fate with LP, I will just wait for the decision of the higher LP officials,” Villarante said, adding that he will remain as party member. 

Villarante believes that the certification of the LP will create division among members. 

“I trust the LP principle of supporting members who will uphold the principles and ideals of the party,” he said. 

Meanwhile, De los Reyes said he is not also worried now that former Cebu district congressman Eduardo Gullas and his grandson, incumbent Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, has expressed open support to Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, who is the provincial district chairman of the Liberal Party. 

“Kining akong certifica-tion nagpamatuod nga ako ang giila sa partidong Liberal isip city chairman,” De los Reyes added.  (FREEMAN)