CEBU congressman and Talisay City mayoral candidate Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas and his entire slate were proclaimed as victors during the local elections held in the southern Cebu city on May 13.
The 34-year-old scion of the Gullas family will be the second in his family to serve as mayor of Talisay City.
Gullas will replace his grandfather and veteran politician Eduardo Gullas, who was also successfully won his bid for congressman of the First District of Cebu.
Based on the final tally, the younger Gullas won 88,105 votes against former Talisay City Mayor Johnny Delos Reyes who only got 11,016 votes.
Aside from Gullas, his running mate and re- electionist vice mayor Alan Bucao succeeded in beating former city vice mayor and lawyer Romeo Villarante for Talisay's second highest seat.
Bucao won 63,408 votes against Villarante's 32,175.
Gullas' entire Alayon Party slate also secured all of the seats in the City Council.
Leading the winning councilors is reelectionist city councilor and former Provincial Board member Julian "Teban" Daan who garnered 66,266 votes.
Alayon councilor-candidates Socrates Fernandez, Ricky Aznar, Rodi Cabigas, Manuel Cabriana, Jojo Bacaltos, Yehyen Bucao, Gail Restauro, Ferdinand Rabaya and Ofelia Ylanan also won seats in the City Council.
In an interview, the younger Gullas said it was the first time that Alayon was able to get all members of its slate in all elective positions in Talisay since it became a city in 2001.
Gullas said part of his priority programs once he starts work as city mayor is to improve the traffic situation in Talisay City.
"We plan to hire a good traffic czar that can focus in improving Talisay's traffic situation," Gullas said.
Aside from traffic, Gullas also wants to prioritize in finally improving the city's situation when it comes to ridding the illegal drug trade in the city for good. (JKV)