ILOILO City – Has Cong. Jerry Treñas given up hope of maintaining political alliance with Mayor Jose Espinosa III in next year’s election?
In an interview with Panay News yesterday, Treñas hinted he may look for other possible candidates for congressman.
“Damu qualified, may track record and can do the job,” he said.
In February this year, Treñas announced he was open to running for mayor. Barangay captains from the districts of Jaro, Molo and Mandurriao issued statements supportive of Treñas and urging Espinosa to run for congressman instead.
Espinosa has not openly rejected the idea but a recent statement from Mandurriao barangay captains indicated their frustration over failed attempts to convince the mayor.
“Miracles are always possible,” said Treñas, but he also stressed Iloilo City does not lack of persons qualified for a congressional post.
Treñas confirmed he is busy building alliances. In the Sangguniang Panlungsod, he said he got the good graces of six incumbent councilors.
Early this week, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon announced Treñas was his choice for mayor in next year’s election and agreed to be the congressman’s running mate.
Amid swirling rumors that Espinosa could be clashing head-on with brother-in-law Treñas for the city government’s top post, the congressman told Panay News councilors Ely Estante, Reyland Hervias, Mandrei Malabor, Liezel Zulueta Salazar, Jay Treñas, and Magdalene Candice Tupas were open to building alliances with him.
Espinosa is currently out of the country.
“Istorya-istorya pa man lang maulolopod sa alliance for (the) progress and development (of Iloilo City),” said Treñas.
He also confirmed having talked to former city councilor Nielex Tupas, former chief of the city government’s Public Employment Service Office Allan Zaldivar and Ganzon’s son Rudolf.
The congressman, barred by law from seeking a fourth consecutive term, said he would be reaching out to other city councilors. The city council has 12 members.
Treñas declined to say if these personalities he had reached out would form his city council slate in the 2019 election.
“We are forming alliances para sa kaayuhan sang syudad,” was all he said.
Treñas was formally designated “council president” of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for Iloilo City last month.
In building alliances, he said competence, track record and dedication to public service are primary considerations.
In December 2016, Treñas announced he would be retiring from politics after his third and last term as congressman ends on June 2019. He then endorsed then vice mayor Espinosa for mayor and then mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog for congressman.
Mabilog, however, was dismissed by the Ombudsman for unexplained wealth in October last year. By operation of law, Espinosa became the city mayor./PN
