ILOILO City – To separate politics from sports, Mayor Raisa Treñas has issued an executive order prohibiting the use of her name — or that of any sitting mayor — in the titles of sporting events organized by or under the Iloilo City Government.
Executive Order No. 114, Series of 2025, signed on October 23, establishes new naming guidelines for all local sports activities, emphasizing that athletic events should serve their true purpose of promoting health, wellness, and community engagement, not political branding.
“While sporting events in Iloilo City have long carried the names of sitting mayors, the practice has shifted attention away from the true purpose of these events — promoting health, wellness, and an active lifestyle among residents,” Treñas said.
The order introduces two key provisions:
* Sporting events directly organized by the Iloilo City Government must refrain from using the mayor’s name.
* Private groups or non–city government public offices that wish to use the name or likeness of the incumbent mayor must first secure clearance from the Office of the City Mayor.
The directive also includes incorporation, separability, and repealing clauses, effectively revoking earlier issuances inconsistent with EO 114.
Officials say the measure forms part of Treñas’ broader push to professionalize event management and uphold impartiality in public celebrations, ensuring that local sports remain “for the people, not for politics.”/PN
