Younger politicians

SAMSAM Gullas was in preparatory school at the Cebu International School when he asked his Mama Mingming to buy him a necktie that matched his long-sleeved shirt and a briefcase because he wanted to be like Papa Eddie, the lawyer.

Frank Malilong

The other side

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His passion for the law profession lasted only up to childhood, however, but the eldest grandson of Cebu 3rd District Rep. Eddie Gullas is ready to take on the other pair of shoes that his grandfather wears, that of the politician. They’re big ones to fill, Samsam admitted during the launching of his political career in a posh hotel last Friday. He could say that again.

But he’ll do just fine. He will not be wanting in guidance. There is always Papa Eddie to smooth the rough patches until he grows to become his own man. It’s a tough working in the shadows of a famous patriarch, which is the reason Samsam’s father and Eddiegul’s only son, Didi, has steadfastly refused to be drawn into politics.

But as Eddiegul himself says, the learning process can be quicker when you have humility. It’s a trait, that, fortunately, the descendants of Don Vicente and Inday Pining Gullas seem to have been born with.

I hope that Samsam’s entry into politics would start a trend of a younger generation aspiring for public service. Miguel Osmeña, Christian Cuenco and Yong Larrazabal, to name a few, should give Cebu politics a new look and perspective.

Miguel is, of course, Tommy’s and Margot’s only progeny; Christian is the son of another former Cebu City mayor, Boy Cuenco; and Yong, is the son of Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal Jr. who owns Cebu Doctors’ Hospital. Miguel graduated with honors from the University of California in Los Angeles; Chris studied at the Ateneo de Manila University; and Yong is one of the most successful eye specialists in the Visayas, if not in the country.

And while we’re at it, why shouldn’t our political leaders try to convince Candice Go to make a little sacrifice by serving as an elected official? Candice is the only daughter of lawyer Augusto and Elizabeth Go, who own the University of Cebu. Gus isn’t a stranger to public service as he served as Cebu City OIC vice mayor in 1986.

I know that Candice has her hands full running the family’s business empire that, aside from UC, includes banks, a shopping mall and a hospital, among others. But maybe, she can be persuaded to try to serve the community in another capacity. The city needs people like her.

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I was taken aback when I read sometime last week about the closure of a day-care center that was located in an area that is being disputed by barangays Lahug and Apas. The story put the Lahug barangay captain in a bad light because it was made to appear that he ordered the closure without taking into consideration the children who benefitted from the day-care center.

There are, of course, two sides to a story. I got the other side from Lahug Bgy. Capt. Jovito “Dodong” Taborada himself a few days ago. Dodong said that the closed center is adjacent to another day-care center operated by his barangay so it is a lie to say that the well-being of the children was not considered.

Second, the Apas day-care center is not supposed to be there under the rules of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS). The decision to close it was not made overnight, he said. The person running the center was told about it as early as last year but he chose to defy the barangay officials, leaving them with no choice but to enforce their decision.

He’s now leaving it up to the DSWS to enforce its rules, Dodong said.