ILOILO City – Uswag Ilonggo Party-list, listed as No. 156 on the ballot, has secured endorsements from key political figures in Iloilo, including former Senate President Franklin Drilon.
During the grand rally at the Gaisano Capital Grounds in Mandurriao district on April 26, 2025, Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo Province’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Rep. Michael Gorriceta (2nd District), Rep. Lorenz Defensor (3rd District) and ex-senator Drilon threw their support behind Uswag Ilonggo Party-list, led by Rep. Jojo Ang. Rep. Ferjenel Biron also expressed his support but was not able to attend the rally.
They expressed confidence that Uswag Ilonggo, with its commitment to uplifting Ilonggos through impactful, inclusive programs, will continue to promote growth and development in Ilonggo communities across the country.
“Nalipay gid ako nga may ara nga partido nga ang only agenda nila ang pauswagon ang Iloilo, amo ina si Jojo Ang… Si Jojo is the only party-list nga ang ila agenda mag-uswag ang Iloilo, mag-uswag ang Ilonggo bisan diin pa nga lugar,” said Drilon. (“I am truly happy that there is a party whose primary agenda is to uplift Iloilo, and that party is Jojo Ang. Jojo is the only party-list with the agenda to improve Iloilo and advance the Ilonggos, no matter where they are.”)
“Sa panahon subong, kinahanglan may champion kita sa Kongreso para magdala sang mehura (sa aton nga syudad kag banwa sang Iloilo),” he added. (“We need a champion in Congress who can bring progress to our cities and towns in Iloilo.”)
Mayor Treñas also praised the Uswag Ilonggo Party-list for its unwavering dedication to serving the people of Iloilo, noting the extensive support it has provided to Ilonggos.
“Ang Uswag Ilonggo Party-list, party-list naton para sa Ilonggo. Kada tuig, kadamo nga scholars ang nabuligan. Kada tuig, kadamo nga mga utod naton sa ospital ang nabuligan. Kada tuig, mga utod ta nga nagamasakit kag nagakinahanglan sang bulig, ara ang Uswag Ilonggo Party-list,” the mayor said. “(The Uswag Ilonggo Party-list is our party-list for the Ilonggos. Every year, many scholarships are awarded. Every year, many of our fellow Ilonggos in hospitals receive assistance. Every year, when our people are sick and need help, the Uswag Ilonggo Party-list is there.”)
He added: “Nakita ko nga lain gid ya kung may ara kita party-list para lang sa mga Ilonggo. Amo na ako, kag bug-os naton nga Team Uswag… nagasuporta gid sa Uswag Ilonggo Party-list.” (“I’ve seen how different it is when we have a party-list that truly represents the Ilonggos. That’s why I, along with our entire Team Uswag, fully support the USWAG Ilonggo Party-list.”)
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. also expressed that “Ang Uswag Ilonggo Party-list ang nagaisahon kag matuod-tuod nga party-list sang mga Ilonggo sa bilog nga kalibutan, amo na dapat ta gid suportahan (“Uswag Ilonggo Party-list is the one and only true party-list for the Ilonggos in the whole world so we have to support it.”)
Rep. Defensor of the 3rd District of Iloilo echoed these sentiments by stating, “Wala na ako sang iban nga party-list nga nakita nga grabe ang performance diri sa Iloilo, si Cong. Jojo Ang kag Uswag Ilonggo lang gid ina.” (“I’ve never seen any other party-list with high performance. Only Cong. Jojo Ang and Uswag Ilonggo Party-list.”)
As for his part, Rep. Gorriceta shared that the improvements of his district was due to the support of Uswag Ilonggo “kadako sang nabulig kag pag-uswag sang Segundo Distrito tungod sa Uswag Ilonggo.”
Rep. Ang expressed his gratitude for the endorsements and emphasized the importance of continuing to work together to improve the lives of Ilonggos.
“Gapasalamat gid ako sa inyo tanan nga suporta, daw mahibi ako sa kadamo sa tawo nga ari diri naga-upod sa aton. Tingwaan ta gid nga ibalik inyo pagpalangga paagi sa paghatag sang sinsero kag intero nga serbisyo para sa inyo tanan. Kabigon ninyo nga ang Uswag Ilonggo para gid ini tanan sa inyo.” (“I am very thankful of your support, I am teary-eyed with the overwhelming number of people joining us today. We will make sure to return all your love through giving back sincere and intentional service for all of you. Uswag Ilonggo Party-list is truly for you.”)
The grand rally saw tens of thousands of people from Iloilo City, Guimaras, towns from the Province of Iloilo and even delegates from Capiz, Aklan and Antique gather together to show support for the party-list. It also featured star-studded special performances from Bamboo, Hale, The Juans, Kyle Echarri, Nextone, Jed Madela and Uswag Ilonggo’s enlisted endorser, Alex Gonzaga./PN
