BY PRINCE GOLEZ and GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Cong. Jerry Treñas sees next year’s race for city mayor “very challenging”, citing his “close relationship” with Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
But he is not giving up on Espinosa. Not just yet.
“We are giving him time to reconsider and restudy his options,” Treñas told Panay News.
Espinosa rejected Treñas’ offer to be the latter’s congressional candidate in next year’s midterm election and announced on Monday he was running for mayor.
The two city officials are brothers-in-law; their wives are siblings.
“We have been political allies for the longest time. This is enough compelling reason why we are doing this,” said Treñas, then city mayor for three successive terms (2001-2004; 2004-2007; 2007-2010).
He acknowledged that Espinosa has “superior advantages” as the incumbent mayor.
In April, Espinosa launched the “Pag-ulikid sang Syudad”, a community outreach program that gave him a venue to touch base with ordinary folks.
The program brings to the barangays various services such as free tooth extraction, health checkup and circumcision, free legal consultation, Civil Registrar services, anti-rabies vaccination, and issuance of community tax certificate (cedula), among others.
Treñas said, “Our leaders want the (Treñas-Espinosa) tandem” and this is why he is urging the mayor to reconsider his decision.
Barangay captains from the districts of Jaro, Molo and Mandurriao issued statements supportive of Treñas running for mayor and urging Espinosa to run for congressman instead.
Barred by law from seeking a fourth consecutive term as congressman, Treñas is running for mayor.
Espinosa was elected for a third consecutive term as vice mayor in 2016 but became the city’s chief executive in October last year after the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed from government service then mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog for unexplained wealth.
Treñas admitted preparing for the possibility that Espinosa won’t change his mind.
“No one is indispensable in politics,” he said.
Treñas has two persons in mind as alternatives to Espinosa as congressional candidate – former councilors Nielex Tupas and Julienne Baronda.
“They are all tested public servants who are well qualified,” he said.
Next month or in August, Treñas said, his choice would become clearer.
As for his candidate for vice mayor, Treñas reiterated it would be Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.
His city council slate, on the other hand, has the following familiar names: incumbent councilors Jay Treñas, Ely Estante, Mandrei Malabor, Reylan Hervias, Leizl Zulueta-Salazar, Julie Grace Baronda, and Candice Tupas.
Treñas said other possible candidates for councilor are Atty. Sedfrey Cabaluna, former General Services Office head Allan Zaldivar, Rodolf Ganzon (son of Vice Mayor Ganzon), Gilbert Garcia, and Jojo Javellana./PN
