ILOILO City – At a gathering of a civic organization in Jaro district on Saturday, Rep. Jerry Treñas called former councilor Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda the “congresswoman-to-be of Iloilo City.”
But Baronda is not taking it as a formal acknowledgment of her being a candidate within the camp of Treñas, who is seeking the mayorship in the 2019 mid-term elections.
The incumbent congressman himself refused to categorically state Baronda’s status.
Before members of the Blue Angels Association in Barangay Cubay, Jaro, Treñas said, “Ang aton napilian nga madalagan congressman … the first congresswoman-to-be of Iloilo City, Jam-jam Baronda.”
The event was streamed live on Treñas’ official Facebook page.
In the live video Baronda was seen standing in acknowledgment of the congressman’s introduction.
Pressed to make clear his pronouncement, Treñas told reporters on Saturday evening, “Mabal-an ta ina kon mag-abot ang tion (We’ll all know in time).”
Treñas was asked to give an estimation on the possibility that Baronda will be his congressional bet, and upon hearing the suggestion “60 percent,” he responded, “Daw dira nayon (Somewhere there).”
And then he added: “Basi next week maka-announce na kita.”
The Blue Angels Association of Iloilo City, Inc. is an organization that promotes women empowerment. It was established by Treñas’ wife Rosalie.
According to Treñas, he had been hearing from barangay captains who support him about who they want to run for lone district representative alongside him. But he did not mention any name.
Baronda confirmed to Panay News that Treñas indeed made the pronouncement.
But the current chief political officer of Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said she would want any announcement with regard to her candidacy to be in a more formal forum.
Still, Baronda said, she believes Treñas would stay true to his words.
“Amo man ina batian ko (That was also what I heard),” Baronda said of the congressman’s pronouncement.
“Kon ano ang inyo mabatian sa bibig sang aton palangga nga congressman, he is a man of honor, te nagapati man kita nga amo gid man na,” she said.
Aside from Baronda, Treñas also introduced Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon as his running mate – and several other personalities believed to compose his lineup for Sangguniang Panlungsod posts.
They include councilors Armand Parcon, Jay Treñas and Ely Estante; Atty. Romel Duron; Allan Zaldivar; Gilbert Garcia; Jojo Javellana; and former councilor Reyland Hervias.
Pressed to confirm if these people make up the official city council lineup of Treñas, Baronda asked the public to wait for the official announcement from the congressman.
What is clear for now, she said, is that these people have been long-term supporters of the lawmaker./PN
