Wednesday, January 14, 2009 He’s for Villar, not Escudero
IT was the “thrilled crowd” and not Rep. Eduardo Gullas that egged on Sen. Francis Escudero to run for president in 2010, the Cebuano legislator clarified yesterday.
The congressman (Cebu Province, 1st district) pointed out in a press conference in his office at the University of the Visayas that he already endorsed Sen. Manny Villar in a previous announcement.
Not me
Escudero was in Cebu for the 120th birthday anniversary of Don Vicente Gullas, founder of the University of the Visayas, and the 8th Talisay City Charter Day celebration last Monday.
Addressing the Talisay crowd, composed mostly of students and young men, Gullas asked if they wanted Escudero to be the next president. Escudero gained prominence as one of the most vocal members of the opposition.
“It was not me (who endorsed Escudero). It was actually the Talisay crowd because I was having an informal survey,” Gullas told reporters.
Although he is still 39 years old, which disqualifies him to run for the presidency, Escudero will turn 40 on Oct. 10, said Gullas.
But he also explained his decision to endorse Villar still stands, and that he didn’t want to cause any confusion on his choice of a presidential candidate.
“I cannot deny that (endorsing Villar). You were all there. You heard me endorsing Villar,” Gullas said.
Not in Cebu City
Likewise, Gullas said he has no plans to throw his hat into Cebu City’s political arena and would rather focus on his job. “It’s still a year and a half so many things can happen,” he said.
Among the challenges the congressman faces are the recent Supreme Court decision to nullify the laws that created 16 new cities, among them Carcar and Naga in the first district.
Gullas also said he would not support any move for a term extension for public officials. (GMD)
