Mayoralty bet: ‘May the better Sayson win’

BACOLOD mayoralty candidate Julius Sayson said he will never waver from his candidacy against his uncle, Nationalist People's Coalition–Grupo Progreso mayoralty candidate Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, despite the odds.

He said over Mercado Publico-dyRL program on Wednesday that no one can stop him from seeking the fulfillment of his dream of becoming the next mayor of Bacolod.

He said he is willing to sever his ties with his uncle for the sake of the Bacolodnons whom he dearly cares for.

He said Vice Mayor Sayson should not worry that he is running too. "May the better Sayson win."

As to the possibility of winning against his uncle, Julius said, "Possibly, I will win."

He also said that despite the disqualification case filed against him, he will never withdraw from his candidacy.

He also said the he is willing to go to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office if summoned to come.

He said he has the means to go there, adding that, "I am just poor but I am rich in friends and supporters."

On reports that another mayoral candidate Monico Puentevella is pushing him to run, Julius said they were “merely speculations” and that the vice mayor is doing everything to put him down until he will be out of the race.

He admitted that he once declared support for the candidacy of Puentevella in his Facebook account, but since the Saysons did not want him for the position, especially Vice Mayor Sayson, and for him to stay neutral, he decided to run because he believes that he has the capacity to serve the people.

He also questioned why the people should be confused between him and the vice mayor, when his uncle already has an imprint as a politician and public servant while he is just starting and facing uncertainty whether he will win.

He said he does not live in their house in Granada for now, as he is just securing his safety. He said there have been people, most of whom were supporters of his uncle and even the vice mayor’s lawyer, who came to their house to convince him to withdraw.

Julius once studied at Muntinlupa Polytechnic College but did not graduate. He is currently a fruit vendor at Lopue's East.

He is running for public office for the first time, but he stressed that his dream to serve his fellow Bacolodnons has always been there in his veins.

He explained that his grandfather Jose Sayson and the vice mayor's father, former vice mayor Jovito Sayson Sr., are cousins. His father Edwin Villanueva Sayson and Vice Mayor Jude Sayson are second cousins.

"The vice mayor is my uncle," he said.

He also admitted that his relatives have asked him to withdraw from the race, but he said: "I am determined and decided to serve my fellow Bacolodnons, especially the poor people."

Meanwhile, radio callers on Wednesday expressed support for Julius for his courage to challenge seasoned politicians, more so a relative.

A caller said the Cordova clan supports Julius Sayson. But a Cordova from Sum-ag where the vice mayor resides denied that all Cordovas support Julius. They said they support the vice mayor.

Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan vice mayoralty candidate Vladimir Gonzalez, for his part, denied Wednesday having provided Julius transport service when he filed his certificate of candidacy last October 5.

He said he has provided free transportation to Bacolodnons who applied for voters' registration, adding it might be that Julius rode the van because anybody can just ride it without paying a fee.

"I categorically deny any involvement. I don't have any control whoever rides in that van. If he rode in one of those vans, obviously, there is no authority from me. I have nothing to do with it. I don't think there is a single chance in my nature to do some dirty tricks like that. I condemn that kind of style," he said.

He added that he is personally investigating the matter. (CNC)