ILOILO City – It’s not yet time to talk about his 2019 election plans, said Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
“For now let us focus on public service. The election is still far away,” he told reporters after Monday morning’s flag-raising ceremony at Plaza Libertad.
Espinosa also refused to comment on his brother-in-law Cong. Jerry Treñas’ continued building of political alliances for the 2019 election.
“Discussing politics this early will be divisive,” said Espinosa.
Treñas endorsed Espinosa for mayor in December 2016 but in February this year said he was entertaining the idea of running for mayor with Espinosa as his candidate for congressman.
“We will talk about politics when it is time for politics,” said Espinosa who had just returned to the city from abroad.
Treñas announced last week he was having Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon as running mate and that he got the backing of six incumbent city councilors. But he also hinted having difficulty convincing Espinosa to run for congressman.
“Miracles are always possible,” said Treñas, but he also stressed Iloilo City does not lack of persons qualified for a congressional post.
Espinosa was elected vice mayor in 2016 and became the city mayor in October 2017 after the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog from government service for unexplained wealth./PN
