ILOILO City – Mayor Jose Espinosa III told city government employees to prepare for changes at city hall that the new mayor would be effecting.
He also urged them to support the incoming administration of his successor, Mayor-elect Jerry Treñas.
Treñas said the other day he would be ordering a “straightforward personnel audit” that would cover, among others, job hires.
“The only constant thing in the world is change… ti may mga changes (that) we expect sa bag-o nga administrasyon,” Espinosa said during a short program after Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at city hall.
Treñas had warned several department heads and personnel they would be facing a string of charges that included electioneering and graft if they won’t resign.
“Updan naton kon sin-o ang ara dira sa administrasyon kay ang aton nga ginaserbisyuhan ang aton mga pumoluyo,” said Espinosa.
Politicians come and go at city hall, he added, but regular city hall employees enjoying security of tenure are always expected to serve the public.
Treñas defeated Espinosa in one of the most lopsided elections in Iloilo City’s history. He got 134,143 votes against Espinosa’s 65,724 in the recent midterm elections.
But it was a bitter campaign.
“I have never been subjected to such venomous attacks in my political life,” said Treñas.
Espinosa reiterated his earlier statement that he was open to reconciling with Treñas, his brother-in-law.
The wives of Espinosa and Treñas were sisters.
But Treñas indicated he was not ready. He was deeply hurt by the issues hurled against him, his wife and children, he said./PN
