ILOILO City – Popular radio blocktimer Salvador “Jun” Alojado Capulot’s attempt to unseat incumbent Mayor Jerry Treñas has failed.
As of 1:30 a.m. this morning, the Commission on Elections’ Transparency Server showed Treñas with 183,156 votes. Capulot had 53,380. The third candidate, Vicente Ang, had 767.
Capulot ran under the People’s Reform Party founded by the late Ilongga senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago while Treñas ran under the National Unity Party (NUP).
Meantime, this will be the second defeat (since the 2019 elections) of 61-year-old pedicab driver Ang, a resident of Barangay Rizal Pala-pala II, City Proper and an independent candidate.
Treñas thanked the people of Iloilo City for their trust and confidence.
“Kadaku sang mandate nga ginhatag sang aton mga pinalangga nga pumoluyo sa syudad. Dapat ibalik gid ini paagi sa matuod-tuod nga serbisyo. Kon ano ang akon pagserbisyo sang una, mas maayo pa gid nga pagserbisyo ang akon dapat idal-on. Mas daku ang mandate, mas daku ang expectation sang aton mga pumoluyo,” said Treñas.
A few days before yesterday’s elections, Treñas got the backing of the Iglesia in Cristo.
“The endorsement of Iglesia ni Cristo is the most sought by candidates. I saw candidates from the opposing camp when we went to the minister to ask for their endorsement. I am very thankful for their endorsement and support,” said Treñas.
In a radio interview last night, Capulot refused to concede and claimed that Treñas’ campaign was fueled with money.
“Puerte ka kadamo-damo nga kwarta nga ginpalapta kag ginpabaha ya diri sa syudad sang Iloilo,” said Capulot.
“Ako nagapati nga ang kadalag-an nga ini waay man ‘ni sya nalipay kay tungod sa kadaku-daku sang gasto ‘ya para nga magdaog sya,” added Capulot.
Nevertheless, Capulot thanked his supporters.
“Apisar nga amo ‘ni ang natabo, nakahibalo kita nga amo ni kadaku sang abanse sang mga balaklon nga mga pumoluyo sa syudad. Ako nagapadala sang mensahe sa aton mga supporters, salamat nga madamo sa inyo tanan,” said Capulot.
Treñas also expressed gratitude to various sectors and personalities for their unwavering trust and confidence in his leadership.
Among these big personalities are Sen. Franklin Drilon and “King of Talk” Boy Abunda./PN
