SunStar
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April 29, 2021
The last decade has seen the emergence of young political leaders in Cebu. Among our city mayors, the youngest is Talisay’s Samsam Gullas who is only 36; he was 29 when he was first elected to Congress, representing the first district in 2013. Last time I heard, he is doing very well as Talisay’s chief executive.
A little older than Samsam, Mayors Kristine Vanessa Chiong of Naga and Carlo Martinez of Bogo are barely in their forties. Mandaue’s Jonas Cortes and Lapu-Lapu’s Ahong Chan are comparatively older, but they’re only 54 and 53 years old, respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, another Gullas holds the distinction of being the oldest and currently longest-serving public official in Cebu. With the death of former senator Sonny Osmeña early this year, of former representatives Tony Cuenco and Tito Calderon last year, and the retirement of former representative Pablo Garcia in 2013, Eddie Gullas, Samsam’s grandfather, is the last man standing of the politicians of his generation.