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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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MANILA – His decision to quit politics when his term ends in 2019 had nothing to do with his health, Rep. Jerry Treñas (Iloilo City) stressed.
Quashing speculations that he was having health issues, the congressman assured he is in good shape.
“No health problem so far unless may mahiwit sa akon (someone subjects me to some witchery),” he told Panay News.
Treñas announced his decision Friday, Dec. 2 before supporters, family members and local officials during an advance birthday celebration in his office in Iloilo City. (His birthday was Dec. 4.)
“For a leader, there is always time to let go,” said the congressman, who is on his third and final term. “It is time to let go.”
His announcement came as a shock to many, especially since he said just this January that he will seek the Iloilo City mayorship in 2019.
It caused some to think it was meant to deceive Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, an ally poised to run for congressman in the next election.
Others speculated Treñas was having health issues.
“Sixty (years old) pa lang ako,” said the congressman.
Councilor Joshua Alim, an estranged ally, warned Mabilog that the announcement could be a trick to lure him into complacency.
“Daw indi gid na ma-take sang iban nga next election, indi ko mag-run?” Treñas wondered. “Daw out of the box?”
After serving Iloilo City as mayor for three terms — spanning nine years — he ran for congressman in 2010 against then ally Raul Gonzalez Jr., and won.
“Maguwa na gani ako, mabutong pa balik? Kasadya sa ila. Daw indi gid sila gusto ma-untat ako haw,” Treñas quipped.
He asked the public to take his words as they are. “No hidden reasons. No other woman. No hidden defects,” he stressed.
POST-POLITICS
This early Treñas can already imagine where he would be post-politics.
He told Panay News he wanted to focus on his family, law practice, sugar farming, books, and cooking.
“I am quite talented,” said Treñas. “I was editor-in-chief of the Ateneo Law Journal and No. 11 in the 1982 Bar exams with [a rating] of 88.325 percent.”
He also considered venturing into journalism.
“I am also a mean cook. Damo lang [ako nabal-an]. Basi ma-apply ako sa Panay News mag-columnist on food,” said Treñas.
Treñas urged those who doubt his intentions to read the Book of Ecclesiastes, specifically Chapter 3, verses 1 to 8. “There is a time and season for everything,” he quoted from the passage./PN
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