Talisay vice mayor airs support for Poe

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City’s incumbent Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, also a mayoralty aspirant, yesterday announced his support to the presidential bid of Senator Grace Poe in the 2016 elections.

Villarante made this announcement during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza following his leaving from the Liberal Party. “Sa akong personal, inclined gyud ko ni Grace Poe kay wa pa’y isyu nga nadungog kalabot sa iya’ng political career,” he said.

Villarante’s support for Poe however would not align with who will be the senator’s bet for Cebu governor, because he remained committed to the re-election of Governor Hilario Davide III, as well as the candidacy of San Fernando town Mayor Abe Canoy for 1st district congressman.

Former Provincial Board member, lawyer Winston Garcia, is likely the candidate of Poe for governor.

The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalists Alliance was also communicating with Villarante, who severed ties with former LP ally, Mayor Johnny delos Reyes.

Villarante is set to run for the mayoralty against delos Reyes in 2016, but he claimed his strong opponent would be former mayor and congressman Eduardo Gullas of the Alayon Party, which is now forging alliance with the LP.

He also admitted having the least logistics among the three of them, but said he believed Talisaynons will eventually choose the best leader for the city.

Villarante admitted running for the position is risking his political career but he believes in the Talisaynons who will choose the best leader. “Kung nagtinarung lang unta ang mayor, wa lang niya palabiha iya’ng pamilya, one-on-one unta against Gullas,” he said.

Villarante’s runningmate would be Councilor Danny Caballero, while for delos Reyes it will be Councilor Valeriano Ylanan. Gullas reportedly picked former Vice Mayor Mayor Alan Bucao.