[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Where were Treñas and Drilon during Dinagyang?’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA S. TAYONA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
February 1, 2018
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
ILOILO City – Two Ilonggo leaders stood out for their conspicuous absence during the 2018 Dinagyang Festival?
Where were Cong. Jerry Treñas and Sen. Franklin Drilon during the Kasadyahan regional festival contest on Jan. 27 and the ati-ati tribes competition on Jan. 28?
Treñas, who never failed to attend every Dinagyang Festival since becoming Iloilo City mayor (2001 to 2010) then congressman (beginning 2010), said yesterday he was not feeling well so he skipped the festivities.
Drilon, on the other hand, could not be reached for comment as of this writing.
The two leaders were regular Dinagyang fixtures and always delivered speeches before the festival audience.
Were he not feeling ill, “I would have been there,” said Treñas.
He denied that his 90-day preventive suspension that took effect early this month had to do with his Dinagyang absence.
The Sandiganbayan ordered Treñas’ suspension while hearing the congressman’s graft case – violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The congressman was accused of giving “unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference” to the Iloilo Press Club for releasing P500,000 for the construction of the organization’s building when he was the mayor of Iloilo City.
The money was actually a donation of Sen. Loren Legarda to the IPC merely coursed through the city government. Treñas denied any wrongdoing.
The congressman, meanwhile, said he had no idea why Senator Drilon failed to attend the Dinagyang.
“I really have no idea. I have no hand in the preparation sa Dinagyang because indi na sa akon opisina,” Treñas said in an interview over DyRI RMN Iloilo.
Dinagyang is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country. It may not be as ancient as the one in Kalibo, Aklan but it is known more for the participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos.
Among the prominent personalities that graced the Dinagyang were Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Presidential Assistant for Visayas Michael Diño, Presidential Legislative Liaison Assistant Secretary Gerald Salapantan, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and sister Ilocos Norte governor Imee Marcos./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
