JVR unfazed by 'Gullas as LP bearer' reports

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes yesterday said he is not disturbed by reports that former congressman Eduardo Gullas will be the standard bearer of Liberal Party in Talisay City in the coming May 2016 elections.

De los Reyes believes the Liberal Party has full confidence and trust in him as LP's standard bearer in Talisay in 2016.

"I was given an assurance by the Liberal Party-Manila that I will be the standard bearer here in Talisay City come elections in 2016. Miingon sila nako nga ako ang ilang ilhon nga LP sa Talisay City ug wa'y lain," De los Reyes said after his visit to the LP headquarters in Manila last Monday.

De los Reyes said LP officials are aware of the political scenery in the city, including the recent development where the Gullasses have expressed their support to the Davide-Magpale tandem for 2016 gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial seats in Cebu.

Both Davide and Magpale belong to LP.

De los Reyes also said Gov. Hilario Davide III informed him about the visit of the former congressman, including with Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas and the mayors and barangay officials in the first district of Cebu, in his office at the Capitol.

Cebu's first district, whose number of voters may reach 200,000 on elections day, is composed of the cities of Talisay, Naga and Carcar, and the municipalities of Minglanilla, San Fernando and Sibonga.

Gullas is reportedly set to challenge De los Reyes in the coming mayoralty election after he lost by a slim margin of votes last 2013 elections.

In earlier interview with the reporters, Samsam said that regardless of anything, whether the Gullases' Alayon Party will join LP or not, they will support the LP leadership of Davide and Magpale in 2016.

The Alayon Party was founded by the elder Gullas, who served the Congress for 21 cumulative years, from 1969-1972, 1992-2001 and 2004-2013.

The elder Gullas already announced that he is open to the possibility of seeking for a rematch with De los Reyes.

In 2001, Eduardo Gullas ran and won for Talisay City mayor. He then authored the bill that led to Talisay's conversion from a town to a city in December 2010.