TALISAY City Mayor Eduardo Gullas is in good health to run for congressional representative of the First District of Cebu in next year’s elections.

This was the message of Cebu Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas (Cebu, 1st) yesterday after he received text messages that his grandfather reportedly suffered from a mild stroke and may no longer proceed with his run for congressman.

While the older Gullas will run for congressman, Samsam will be running for mayor of Talisay City.

The younger Gullas believes that his political opponents, especially those aspiring for mayor, may have been behind the text messages circulating in some circles in the city.

The text message, reportedly sent by an unidentified member of the Talisay City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that Gullas was allegedly advised by his doctor to retire from politics after suffering from a mild stroke.

The text message also states that on October 13, on Gullas’ 88th birthday, he will announce his retirement from politics.

But the younger Gullas dismissed the text message as “fake news.” “Hangyo Lang unta ko sa among mga kaatbang sa politika, instead of throwing fake news and false accusations, ipahibaw ang Talisaynon sa inyong platform of government, unsa inyong mga plano para sa Talisay and most importantly, what you have done for Talisay.

Mas ganahan pami maminaw ana instead of fake news,” the younger Gullas said, in his Facebook page.

He assured their supporters that his grandfather, now 87 years old, is still active when it comes to politics.

The younger Gullas also announced his official slate for next year’s elections.

Aside from re-electionist vice mayor Alan Bucao, also running under the Alayon group are incumbent city councilors Socrates Fernandez, Rodi Cabigas, Jojo Bacaltos, Teban Daan, Maning Cabriana and Gail Restauro.

Bucao’s wife and current Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Marietta Bucao will also be running under their slate.

With the terms of councilors Richard Francis Aznar and Valeriano Ylanan to end next year, the Alayon group has chosen two new members to run in their stead.

Aznar’s father, Ricky, and Ylanan’s wife, Ofelia, will be running in their place, former Barangay Cansojong councilor Ferdinand Rabaya will be the final candidate in their councilor slate. (JKV)