Gullas’ brod to run for Congress

CEBU — Although still reluctant to switch from running a university to joining politics, educator Jose "Dodong" Gullas has finally accepted the challenge to succeed his elder brother, incumbent Rep. Eduardo "Eddie" Gullas, in Congress.

Dodong decided last Sunday to accept his brother’s offer to run for the congressional seat in the first district after Eddie gave in to his request that he be given ample time to study the proposal.

Eddie, who is serving his third and final term in Congress, initially offered the slot to his only son, Gerard Anthony, but the latter declined to pursue a career in politics.

Dodong also received the offer with hesitation. But consultations with district and municipal leaders showed him garnering an overwhelming support.

Dodong, executive vice president for finance of the University of the Visayas and chairman of The Freeman board, filed his certificate of candidacy with the provincial office of the Commission on Elections yesterday.

His son, The Freeman president Joselito "Jiji" Gullas, said that until the last minute, Dodong found it difficult to accept the offer.

"He was such a very reluctant candidate. However, he conceded because of the consensus on the Gullas family’s moral obligation to serve the people of the first district," Jiji said.

In the first round of consultations which Eddie conducted, majority of the city, municipal and barangay officials in the first district endorsed Dodong.

Last week alone, 57 of the 69 barangay heads of Talisay City and the towns of Minglanilla and Naga pledged to support Dodong’s congressional bid. — Freeman News Service