ILOILO City – A growing controversy over the social media criticisms of Iloilo Provincial Government information chief Jose Nereo Lujan has reached Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., with the Iloilo City’s barangay leaders formally seeking his intervention to stop what they described as malicious attacks against Mayor Raisa Treñas and the city government.
The Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas–Iloilo City chapter, led by its president Maria Irene Ong, accused Lujan of displaying “bitter hostility” toward the city administration through a series of Facebook posts, warning that his actions could strain the longstanding relationship between the provincial and city governments.
In a letter received by the Office of the Governor, Ong expressed the barangay leaders’ dismay over Lujan’s online commentaries, which they characterized as personal attacks rather than legitimate criticism of government policies.
The letter followed a separate communication to Defensor from Iloilo City Councilor Nene Dela Llana concerning Lujan.
“While we are distinct and separate local government units, there are no visible boundaries that divide us. In plain language, we are one. With this in mind, we are conveying with a heavy heart our consternation regarding the bitter hostility being displayed by Mr. Jose Nereo Lujan, who heads the Public Information Office in the Iloilo Provincial Government, toward our Iloilo City Government and beloved City Mayor, Hon. Raisa Treñas, in a long series of Facebook posts,” Ong stated.
Although Lujan posted the criticisms on his personal Facebook account, Ong argued that his position as head of the provincial government’s Public Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO) inevitably associates his statements with the Capitol.
“What is disturbing is that these posts are not even constructive commentaries with the objective of improving the City’s public service delivery. Far from it, these posts can be characterized as vile, malicious and below the belt character assassination,” Ong said.
The Liga president expressed hope that Defensor would intervene and rein in what she described as Lujan’s hostility toward Treñas and the city administration.
“It cannot be avoided that the venomous attacks of Mr. Lujan has dragged the whole Capitol with it, and leave a bile taste in the mouth on our part,” Ong added.
The letter was also signed by district Liga presidents Rico Francis Acap of Arevalo, Madonna Martin of City Proper, Rodel Mamon of Jaro, Ariel Mirar of Mandurriao, and Lee Quimsing of Molo.
Arnel Asturias of Lapuz was the only district president who did not sign the communication.
LUJAN CHALLENGES ACCUSATIONS
Lujan, however, rejected the accusations and challenged the barangay leaders to identify the specific Facebook posts they considered malicious, defamatory or constituting character assassination.
He argued that the letter contained sweeping allegations without citing a single statement to substantiate them.
“Which particular post was supposedly vile? Which statement was malicious? What exactly constituted character assassination? These are serious accusations that require more than broad characterizations. I am prepared to explain and defend any statement properly attributed to me, but those making the accusations should first identify the particular statements they find objectionable,” Lujan said in a statement.
He maintained that criticizing public officials should not automatically be interpreted as hostility toward the government they represent.
According to Lujan, elected officials must expect their decisions, policies and performance to be subjected to public scrutiny, even when criticism is sharp, uncomfortable or unflattering.
He also defended satire as a legitimate form of expression, arguing that public officials taking offense does not necessarily make a commentary malicious.
Lujan likewise disputed the Liga’s contention that his personal social media activities had dragged the provincial government into the controversy.
“I respectfully disagree. My personal Facebook account is not an official communication channel of the Provincial Government of Iloilo. My personal opinions should not automatically be attributed to the Governor, the Provincial Government, or my fellow provincial employees. I recognize my responsibilities as a public servant and my obligation to observe applicable civil service rules. At the same time, government employees retain their constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression, subject to the limitations imposed by law. Criticism of public officials should not, by itself, be presumed to constitute administrative misconduct,” he said.
Lujan emphasized that constructive criticism does not always come through praise or polite suggestions but may also involve difficult questions, pointed observations and scrutiny of official decisions.
He said government officials should respond to the substance of criticism, correct factual inaccuracies and present evidence rather than dismiss critics as hostile or malicious.
Addressing concerns about the relationship between Iloilo City and the province, Lujan said their historical and cultural ties should not be used to discourage legitimate disagreements.
“As someone who has devoted considerable time to studying, researching, and documenting Iloilo’s history and cultural heritage, I appreciate the deep ties that bind Iloilo City and the Province of Iloilo. Our shared history reminds us that their fortunes have always been intertwined. But genuine harmony does not require the absence of disagreement. It rests on mutual respect, openness to differing views, and a shared commitment to the people we serve. Disagreement with an elected official should never be mistaken for hostility toward an entire city, its government, or its people,” he said.
Lujan stressed that he respects Defensor’s authority and remains committed to fulfilling his responsibilities as a provincial government employee.
However, he insisted that any concerns about his conduct should be evaluated based on specific statements, their context and applicable civil service regulations rather than generalized allegations.
He challenged Ong and the district Liga presidents to publicly identify the Facebook posts they found objectionable so the public could independently assess their content.
Until specific evidence is presented, Lujan said he would continue rejecting the characterization of his personal commentaries as hostility toward Iloilo City and its residents.
“Public officials are entitled to respond to criticism. They are not entitled to be free from it,” he declared.
The controversy now places Defensor at the center of a dispute involving the city government’s barangay leadership and one of the Capitol’s senior information officials, raising questions about the boundaries between a government employee’s freedom of expression and the responsibilities attached to public office.
The report did not indicate whether Defensor had responded to the Liga’s appeal or whether any administrative action against Lujan was being considered./PN
