BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday admitted running again for congressman in next year’s midterm elections is tempting.
“You know it is very tempting. It’s a tempting decision to make. I cannot say I am not tempted especially with the work here at city hall. We will see it. Dugay pa man (elections),” Treñas said during a press briefing yesterday.
He issued the statement when sought for his reaction on the possibility of running against as congressman of Iloilo City’s lone district a day after his son, Councilor Miguel Treñas and half of his council slate took their oath as new members of the Marcos administration’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) on Sunday.
Treñas served as congressman of the city’s lone district from 2001 to 2010.
He already endorsed his daughter and executive assistant Raisa Treñas-Chu as his candidate for congresswoman under the National Unity Party (NUP).
In the press conference, the mayor said big political parties in the country will form an alliance in the coming weeks. They are the NUP, PFP, Lakas-CMD, and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
“This simply shows that we are ready to support the administration’s programs,” said Treñas, who remains with NUP.
But what could be the turning point for him to run for Congress?
“Kon indi na gid ako siguro ka agwanta sang City Hall Press Corps,” the mayor replied in jest.
Likewise, Treñas said Raisa declined the administration party’s PFP nomination and joined NUP due to her prior commitment to the party.
The announcement came as a surprise to some political observers. Treñas announced that two PFP representatives visited his office and “inquired about the oath-taking of Raisa in the party.”
“I told them that Raisa has a mind of her own and will make her own decision after proper consultations with her leaders and advisers. I will support her decision whichever way,” said Treñas./PN
