Town mayor backs out of congressional contest

SAN Fernando Mayor Antonio Canoy withdrew his bid for the first congressional district of Cebu Province and will seek reelection instead.

This, as Gerard Anthony “Samsam” Gullas filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday morning with the intention to take over the seat that will be vacated by his grandfather, Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, first district), who intends to run for mayor of Talisay City.

Canoy told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday that he had to consider several factors, including the request of his town leaders and supporters to stay in San Fernando and seek reelection.

“Mas maminaw ko sa tingug sa akong lungsod kay sa distrito. Lisud pa musaka kung dili sila gusto (I prefer to listen to the townfolk than constituents in the district. It’s hard to aspire to a higher position if your supporters don’t like it),” Canoy said.

COC filing

Canoy and his allies filed their COCs last Wednesday noon.

Samsam Gullas, 27, submitted his COC to Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Castillano at 10:45 a.m. yesterday.

The younger Gullas, who will be running under the Alayon Party ticket, heard mass with his grandfather at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Lady of Guadalupe in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City before filing his COC.

In an interview, Samsam said he is aware of the issues raised against him, such as his age and lack of experience.

“Wala ko’y nahibaw-an, that is true, pero asa man ta magsugod (It’s true I don’t have any experience, but where does one begin)? We have to start somewhere. Luckily, Papa Eddie (Rep. Eduardo Gullas) chose me and proclaimed me to run for Congress. Hopefully, I would learn from this,” Samsam told reporters.

His age could be an advantage as well, he said. “It could be a bad thing because I’m inexperienced. But it could also be a good thing because compared to my grandfather, I can still go around the district effortlessly,” he added.