BY GEROME DALIPE
ILOILO City – Reelectionist Cong. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda and mayoral candidate Raisa Treñas-Chu have decided “to come together once again for the greater good of our beloved city.”
In a joint statement issued yesterday afternoon just minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 2025 midterm elections, Baronda and Treñas-Chu announced that they have agreed to “leave unopposed the positions of congresswoman and mayor” in their respective slates.
The joint statement was simultaneously by Baronda and Treñas-Chu on the respective Facebook pages.
Their decision to leave both the congressional and mayoral races uncontested between their camps marks a significant shift in the local political landscape, especially after months of speculation and tension between the two camps.
The joint statement, signed by both Baronda and Treñas-Chu, expressed regret over the division that had occurred following an earlier decision to split politically.
“The initial decision to part ways and pursue separate paths has, unfortunately, led to unintended consequences that we deeply regret,” the statement read.
The two acknowledged that the split had caused tension within the city, affecting relationships among families, friends, and colleagues.
Baronda, who is seeking her third and final term as Iloilo City’s congresswoman, was initially set to face off against Treñas-Chu, after her father, Mayor Jerry Treñas, publicly endorsed Raisa for the congressional seat in March 2024.
This move by the elder Treñas ended his political alliance with Baronda which had been instrumental in their victories in the 2019 and 2022 elections.
However, the political tides shifted when Mayor Treñas, who had intended to seek his third and final term as mayor, announced he would no longer run for re-election, opting instead to endorse Raisa for the mayoral race. This development triggered intense speculation about the future of both Baronda’s and Treñas-Chu’s political plans.
Sources close to the negotiations revealed that discussions to reconcile the two camps reached a critical point late Monday night, October 7, following days of intense haggling.
The result is a unity agreement under which neither Baronda nor Treñas-Chu will challenge each other for their respective desired positions. Each camp, however, is still free to field candidates for the vice mayoral race and seats in the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Baronda and Treñas-Chu emphasized that unity is essential for Iloilo City’s progress, saying in their statement, “Our differences are small in comparison to the shared vision we have for our city’s future. We believe that through unity, we can lead this city to greater heights.”
Both women expressed their gratitude to the individuals who advocated for unity, saying, “Your persistence and dedication to unity have made this moment possible.”
“As your leaders, we understand that we are called not to sow division, but to foster unity. Our responsibility is to be builders of bridges, not barriers. It is clear to us now that our city’s progress and prosperity depends on togetherness, and we cannot allow differences to tear apart the very fabric of our city. Love, respect, and understanding must prevail over hatred, suspicion, and animosity,” they stressed.
The decision to come together once again, they added, was a result of “deep reflection and sincere dialogue.”/PN
