ILOILO City – Vowing to continue working together on their shared vision of achieving economic recovery and strategic growth for Iloilo City, the winning team of Mayor Jerry Treñas, Cong. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda and Vice Mayor Jeffrey Gazon on Wednesday filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) along with Uswag Ilonggo party-list nominee Raisa Treñas and 12 party-mates vying for seats in the City Council.
“I’m humbled and thankful that the Ilonggos have given me their support. As the father of the city, it is my desire that my people are given the services and assistance they need to improve their lives,” Treñas told Panay News.
“COVID-19 has really made it very difficult to push through with our plans for Iloilo City. But even with the setbacks we faced, our efforts have been recognized and lauded by other local government units. This has been made possible because of the cooperation of the Ilonggos and through competent fellow leaders like Cong. Jam-jam Baronda and Vice Mayor Ganzon,” Treñas told journalists yesterday after a Mass at the La Paz Parish Church.
He underscored that, “Cong. Jam has been especially helpful in bringing our concerns to Congress and coordinating with national agencies.”
Baronda also highlighted their shared vision for the regional center saying, “Our partnership has succeeded in bringing much-needed programs and projects to the Ilonggos from the national government, particularly as we fight the pandemic.”
She added: “Mayor Jerry and I go way back and have a good working relationship. He was my mentor when I first served as Sangguniang Kabataan president, and when I was a city councilor.”
Treñas and Baronda, who also ran under the same party in 2019, championed the same issues. Treñas forwarded his WHEELS program that focused on welfare, health and sanitation, education, environmental management, livelihood, and sustainability. Baronda advanced her HOPE platform that centered on health, obra, peace and order and education.
“It is very important that our goals are aligned. It is beneficial to the people if their leaders are united in their causes. Our people have been texting and messaging me to seek reelection because they said they like how Mayor Jerry, the City Council and myself have worked together. They say ours is a perfect example of a vibrant and effective collaboration between the executive branch and the legislature. They want to keep this cohesive, decisive, results-oriented and efficient leadership,” Baronda told journalists after filing her COC at the City Election Office.
On Sept. 22, 2021, Random Access Consultants, Inc. (RACI), the most trusted survey firm in Western Visayas, revealed that the Treñas-Baronda tandem is overwhelmingly favored by the voters of Iloilo City for the upcoming 2022 elections.
Meanwhile, Raisa Treñas said the Ilonggos will now have a louder voice in Congress through the Uswag Ilonggo party-list.
“We will champion advocacies aimed to elevate the lives of Ilonggos through programs that promote change, inclusivity, and progress that will bring Western Visayas to greater heights. Our district representatives like Cong. Jam will have a comrade in us,” the Uswag Ilonggo nominee said.
Treñas, Baronda and Ganzon attended a Mass at Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage La Paz Parish yesterday morning.
They were joined by their party-mates aspiring for a seat in the Sangguniang Panlungsod: Dr. Urminico Baronda Jr., Atty. Sedfrey Cabaluna, Punong Barangay Eric David, Atty. Rommel Duron, Councilor Ely Estante, Councilor Rudolph Ganzon, Councilor Jojo Javellana, Atty. Frances Parcon, Atty. Rex Sarabia, Miguel Treñas, Johnny Young, and Councilor Allan Zaldivar.
“Team Uswag” filed their COCs under the National Unity Party (NUP) through City Administrator Melchor Tan.
Congresswoman Baronda submitted her COC personally under NUP./PN
