CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City’ re-electionist Mayor Johnny V. De los Reyes, or JVR, recently revealed he has no candidate yet for vice mayor in the 2016 elections.
Councilor Valeriano Ylanan, in an interview with reporters, said he was not yet sure to run as runningmate of JVR. “I’m still studying the matter, because I still have one more term for councilor, for which I am sure I will win again,” he said.
JVR however was confident Ylanan will accept the offer for a vice mayoralty bid, because the latter has nothing to fear considering that they belong to the administration’s Liberal Party. “Councilor Val has nothing to fear. His opponents are easy to beat,” said the mayor.
Councilor Dennis Basillote, another JVR ally who is on his third and last term, was also hesitant to be the mayor’s running-mate because he is now more inclined to seek for a seat in the first district of the Provincial Board.
JVR also has not bared his party’s complete slate for councilors. So far, those in the line-up will be his son Clifford, CDRMM officer Catalino “Vince” Monterde; City Legal Officer Alfredo Sipalay; Barangay Pooc Chairman Bernardo Balorio, businesswoman Dina Ceniza and Barangay Dumlog Councilwoman Monette Rabaya Yu.
The mayoralty race in Talisay City has been seen as a three-cornered fight among JVR, Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante and former mayor and congressman Eduardo “Eddiegul” Gullas of Alayon Party.
Gullas’ Alayon ticket was reportedly almost complete with former vice mayor Alan Bucao as his runningmate.
On the other hand, number one Councilor Danilo Caballero had already confirmed he will be the vice mayor candidate for Villarante. He said he wanted the post, which he believed he could transform into a very influential one for the benefit of Talisaynons.
“It’s a hard job. This is something I want to do because I love Talisay,” said Caballero, who is on his second term yet as Talisay City’s councilor.
Caballero said his party with Villarante has already an initial list for councilors but they will not reveal this yet. — (FREEMAN)