MANILA – Cong. Jerry Treñas said he was “very humbled” by the results of the survey of Random Access Consultants Inc. showing him as the favored mayoral contender for Iloilo City.
“I am very humbled by the trust and confidence of my constituents,” Treñas said.
In the survey conducted from July 27 to 29, 2018 in 60 barangays, the congressman was the choice of 62.2 percent of respondents.
On one hand, 29.5 percent said they would vote for incumbent Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
A total of 600 respondents, who were at least 18 years old and registered voters, participated in the survey.
Treñas said the survey results inspired him “to do more.”
“Since I started as a public servant I have tried my best to excellently answer the needs of the Ilonggos. I will continue to do so,” he said.
If he wins the election in May 2019, the Ilonggo solon promised to “make sure we can sustain the development in Iloilo city and province.”
He added, “We have to look forward to more employment opportunities for Ilonggos.”
On Dec. 2, 2016 Treñas publicly announced he would be quitting politics in 2019. He reiterated this in subsequent interviews, even saying in September 2017, “I won’t change my mind.”
On June 2019 Treñas would have completed his third consecutive term as congressman. He is barred by law from seeking a fourth consecutive term.
But in March this year, Treñas said over 170 of the city’s 180 barangay captains wanted him to run for city mayor in next year’s local election, and that the possibility of him caving in to their wish was not remote.
Treñas also said the barangay captains wanted Mayor Espinosa, his brother-in-law, to run for congressman.
“They said I am too young to retire from politics,” said Treñas.
Before joining the House of Representatives in 2010, Treñas served as Iloilo City mayor for three terms (2001-2004, 2004-2007, 2007-2010)./PN
