ILOILO City – Former senator Franklin Drilon has expressed his hopes for an amicable resolution between Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas and Cong. Julienne Baronda, following the political breakup of the city’s two top officials.
Drilon, not surprised by the fallout, emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony among the city’s top officials to sustain the city’s progress.
“I am not surprised but I do hope that they can find an amicable settlement so that we can continue the progress of Iloilo City,” Drilon said in response to inquiries from the press about Treñas and Baronda.
Acknowledging that differences among local officials are common in a democracy, Drilon said he remains focused on completing a few pending projects.
“This political contest is natural in a democracy, it’s tough when there is no candidate. I’ve been long enough in politics not to be surprised by the difference among our local officials,” he added.
Drilon is particularly hopeful that the issue will be resolved before the filing of certificates of candidacy from October 1 to 8, 2024, for the May 2025 elections.
When pressed about whom he would support if the dispute between Treñas and Baronda does not settle, Drilon said, “Mayor Jerry Treñas is a good friend; he is a good mayor I have been working with him for several years and, in fairness, he has done his job well.”
Although no plans have been disclosed by Baronda regarding the May 2025 elections, she remains eligible for one more term.
Treñas has endorsed his daughter, Raisa Treñas-Chu, for congresswoman in the upcoming elections.
Drilon, meanwhile, declined to comment on his own political plans for the 2025 elections, choosing instead to focus on helping the impoverished and malnourished children in Iloilo.
“Let’s put politics aside for now, and I will continue first to help the malnourished children particularly in Iloilo, as this is a significant problem that our government is struggling to address due to insufficient budgets at the Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development Office,” Drilon said./PN
