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[av_heading heading=’ Treñas defends silence on Mabilog ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Thursday. September 14, 2017
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ILOILO City – Cong. Jerry Treñas has never issued a public statement unequivocally expressing support to his beleaguered political ally, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog whom President Rodrigo Duterte has accused of being a drug protector.
But the congressman said his silence did not mean he was not helping his friend.
“I do not have to announce what I have been doing. I’m doing everything and Mayor Jed knows this,” said Treñas without elaborating.
Mabilog has repeatedly denied being a drug coddler but Treñas has not publicly vouched for the mayor’s innocence.
Treñas and Mabilog used to belong to the Liberal Party but weeks after Duterte won the 2016 presidential election, the congressman jumped to the President’s Partido Demokatiko Pilipno – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
The congressman also denied he was behind an alleged black propaganda against Mabilog.
“What’s my motive? I’m retiring from politics after my term ends this 2019. Granting for the sake of argument that I’m seeking an elective post, I’m not clashing with Mayor Jed,” Treñas told Panay News.
Both Treñas and Mabilog are on their third and final successive terms as congressman and mayor, respectively. Barred by law from seeking a fourth consecutive term, there’s a remote possibility that both could clash for an elective post.
The congressman said he and Mabilog never had a quarrel since way back – even when he was still the city mayor and Mabilog was just a councilor who later aspired to be vice mayor then mayor.
“I have reiterated several times that I’m leaving politics,” he stressed.
Treñas also recalled the mass oath-taking of new PDP-Laban members in the city last month. He said he asked House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, a party stalwart, to allow Mabilog to attend even if the mayor had not been invited to join the ruling party.
Asked about Mabilog’s taking a sick leave, Treñas said” “Let us continue to be united for the continued development of the city. Ang first and foremost gid ang aton syudad.”
There was no public expression of sympathy to Mabilog, too, from Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III, brother-in-law of Treñas. But the vice mayor stressed their alliance with the mayor remained intact.
“Ang grupo naton bilog gihapon from congressman to mayor, to vice mayor, majority of the city council, barangay captains and barangay kagawads,” said Espinosa.
He, however, has remained silent on the President’s allegation against the mayor.
In a privilege speech, estranged Mabilog ally Councilor Plaridel Nava claimed the Treñas camp was behind an alleged black propaganda against Mabilog.
He slammed the mayor’s allies for keeping their silence and not publicly expressing support to Maiblog and vouching for the mayor’s non-involvement in illegal drugs.
“I don’t know anything about that. You ask (Nava). It’s his utterance and he is the master of his utterances,” said Espinosa./PN
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