BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Just six days after Mayor Jerry Treñas announced his political split from Cong. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda, has her father, Councilor Urminico Baronda, become an unintended casualty of the political strife?
Councilor Baronda, a former city health officer, is set to be removed as chairman of three Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committees: Health, Sanitation and Hospital Services; Education, Science and Technology; and Information, Technology and Computerization.
Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon confirmed that the city council’s majority agreed in principle to revoke Baronda’s chairmanships. He cited a previously agreed “term-sharing” scheme among city councilors over committee assignments.
Councilors aligned with Mayor Treñas had planned to announce this decision during their regular session yesterday morning, having discussed the issue last week with intention to present it during the session.
However, Ganzon noted that majority floor leader Frances Grace Parcon did not schedule the matter for discussion in the council’s agenda.
The city council is set to deliberate on this issue after resuming their session post-Holy Week.
Media attempts to elicit comments from Councilor Baronda post-session were declined.
In a March 16 press conference, Mayor Treñas announced that his daughter and executive assistant, Raisa Treñas-Chu, would be his official candidate for congresswoman in the upcoming midterm elections. He also confirmed a meeting with Cong. Baronda, who expressed respect for his decision.
Treñas previously supported Baronda in winning the city’s congressional seat in 2019 and 2022.
The mayor declined from explaining his decision to part ways with Baronda, saying that revisiting past events was unnecessary because “the issue has been concluded.”
Treñas added that nearly all barangay officials support his decision to nominate Raisa.
On the same day, Cong. Baronda acknowledged her meeting with Treñas, describing it as “sincere and honest” but did not disclose further details.
She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the city’s congresswoman but remained silent on her plans for the 2025 elections, cautioning that “giving in to political division and letting our beloved city’s future get derailed would be a grave mistake.”/PN
