FOLLOWING the announcement of First District Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas that he plans to run for Talisay City mayor in 2019, a former mayor also announced he plans to attempt a political comeback.
In an interview yesterday, businessman Johnny de los Reyes said that a national party has been courting him to run for mayor, although that wasn’t why he decided to face Samsam in next year’s mid-term elections. He said that some of his supporters have been prodding him to try to reclaim the mayoral seat.
De los Reyes, though, clarified that this will be his political swan song. “Last na gyud ni,” said the 65-year-old.
Council slate
De los Reyes said that he has yet to find a running mate, but his slate is “almost complete.” It will include his son and newly elected Barangay Bulacao Councilor Clifford de los Reyes, former Talisay City councilor Dennis Basillote and outgoing Barangay Pooc village chief Bernard Balorio.
Although there were rumors that his son John Yre, former Talisay City administrator, will run for the City Council, de los Reyes quashed these.
De los Reyes admitted that he has learned a lot of lessons since losing to incumbent Mayor Eduardo Gullas during the 2016 elections.
De los Reyes added that that should he be given a fresh mandate to serve as mayor, he vowed to no longer include family members in his administration. He will also no longer rely on other people to run his campaign and other affairs.
Before he won as mayor in 2013, de los Reyes’s campaign was run by Romeo Villarante, his then ally who later became his vice mayor.
Falling out
While their relationship started well, political infighting put an end to that.
Their row eventually led to both officials running against each other during the 2016 elections, where they were defeated by the more seasoned Eduardo Gullas, Samsam’s grandfather.
Meanwhile, Samsam vowed to support the projects of newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials during their oathtaking at City Hall yesterday morning.
The newly elected village chiefs, for their part, threw their support to Barangay San Isidro Captain Marietta “Yehyen” Bucao for president of the Association of Barangay Councils.