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Monday, March 07, 2005
Nalzaro: Gabby Leyson eyes Talisay mayorship
By Bobby Nalzaro
SOURCES from the grapevine told this columnist that Cebu City Councilor Gabriel ‘Gabby’ Leyson is interested in running for mayor in Talisay City in the 2007 elections. If his plan pushes through, he will face the formidable leadership of incumbent Mayor Socrates ‘Soc’ Fernandez, a known political ally of veteran politician, Rep. Eduardo Gullas of the first district.
In fact, the source said Leyson, who is on his second term at the Cebu City Council, has been meeting with some Talisay City councilors and known political leaders, apparently trying to woo their support. Some of these incumbent local officials are identified with the Gullas camp.
There were a series of meetings but there was no commitment on the part of those Talisay officials to support Leyson’s bid, said the source, who was privy to the talks. Gullas’ camp has already been alerted about Leyson’s plan and they are already making their move to counter it at this early stage. There are no legal obstacles on the residency of Leyson because he owns some properties in the city and he can register anytime in view of the Comelec’s continuing registration of voters.
The law requires six months residency status of any individual aiming for an elective position. Congressman Gullas is not a resident of Talisay but he petitioned for the transfer of registration before the 2001 elections that qualified him to run for mayor and won. Gullas, whose original residence is in Minglanilla, just rented a house in one of the city’s barangays. Nobody questioned his residency status. Now, he is back in Congress.
Leyson, then a first-timer in the council, ran for mayor in Cebu City in 1998 but lost to former mayor Alvin Garcia. So why is he showing interest in joining the political arena of a neighboring city when, in fact, he is not doing well in the Cebu City Council? Well, your guess is as good as mine.
I can only surmise and speculate that Leyson’s plan has something to do with the brewing controversy of the multi-million South Reclamation Project (SRP). It’s public knowledge that Cebu City and Talisay officials are at odds following Talisay’s claim of a portion of the SRP. This is the reason the titling of the SRP has been delayed because of Talisay’s claim, an issue that has become personal between Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Gullas.
It’s very simple. I should say that the unseen political hands of Mayor Osmeña are behind this scheme. Leyson will not show interest to “invade” Talisay without the prodding of Osmeña. Why? If Leyson is elected as Talisay mayor, then it is just easy for the two local government units to come up with a happy compromise on the issue. For sure Tommy can influence Leyson. Nganong libugon pa man nato ang isyo?
(Bobby(at)sunstar(dot)com(dot)ph/09193181404)
(March 7, 2005 issue)
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