BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Former city councilor Jay Treñas yesterday revealed that Cong. Julienne Baronda’s political group, Team Sulong Gugma, offered him the opportunity to run for vice mayor.
Treñas said he declined, citing his commitment to maintaining family relations over political aspirations.
“I respectfully declined this offer, as my cousin, Raisa Treñas, is running for Mayor under Team Uswag. My father instilled in me the values of family and service, and I will always prioritize my family,” Jay told a press conference.
Jay’s decision to reject the vice mayoral offer of Team Sulong Gugma is seen by his supporters as a way of respect for the complex dynamics within Iloilo City’s political landscape, particularly considering that Mayor Jerry Treñas is his uncle.
Jay also reaffirmed his commitment to serve the Ilonggos. Despite the sudden changes in the political landscape, he noted that the city’s future remains his priority.
Jay clarified that he is not holding any ill will toward the opposing camp, saying they simply support different paths in this election.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served Iloilo City as your councilor for the past nine years under Team Uswag — thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Jay.
“For now, I believe it is in the best interest of Iloilo City for me to step back from running in the 2025 midterm elections and to support Team Uswag,” he added.
Jay, who served as city councilor for three consecutive terms from 2013 to 2022, remains as the mayor’s executive assistant.
Jay was previously reported to be the second nominee of the Uswag Ilonggo Party list for 2025 midterm polls.
Incumbent Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Representative James “Jojo” Ang remains as the top nominee in their filing for candidacy for the 2025 elections on Monday.
The other nominees were Maria Lourdes Miraflores, former mayor of Ibajay, Aklan, and wife of former Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores; lawyer and businessman Jerry Opinion; Jocelyn A. Tan; Anita G. Buñi; Genevieve T. Salcedo; Cris Marie Angelie Pacificador Español; lawyer Jeric Jucaban, the party’s secretary-general; Reynaldo V. Pelongco; and lawyer Alfredo Arungayan III.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. is listed as the party list’s chairperson.
Uswag Party list first ran in 2022 with Ang at the top of their ticket and finished at 8th place with 689,607 votes, or 1.87 percent of the vote share of all participating party lists.
The 1987 Constitution mandates that 20% of all seats in the House of Representatives should be allotted to the party list. Depending on the share of votes received, a party-list group can win up to 3 seats in the House./PN
