LOYALTY CHECK

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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA and IME SORNITO
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Monday, March 12, 2018
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City hall ‘Treñas boys’ caught in middle of Jerry-Joe ‘tiff’

ILOILO City – Cong. Jerry Treñas is seeking a dialogue with Mayor Jose Espinosa III following reports of a “loyalty check” at city hall primarily targeting officials identified with the congressman.

“I am hopeful that we will be able to talk,” said Treñas – an admission that the two political allies and brothers-in-law have not been on speaking terms after the congressman announced he was considering running for mayor in next year’s mid-term election.

Espinosa’s senior executive assistant Rommel Castro summoned eight so-called “Treñas boys” Friday last week and told them point blank they “could not serve two masters at the same time.”

Sources told Panay News they could be tendering their resignations today.

Treñas, who is barred by law from seeking a fourth consecutive term as congressman, said he does not want to clash with Espinosa.

Treñas himself endorsed Espinosa for mayor in December 2016 after the congressman announced he would be quitting politics after completing his third and final term in 2019.

Espinosa was apparently surprised by Treñas’ most recent announced of a possible mayoralty run.

“I am very hopeful nga matigayon pa ‘ni ang amon pag updanay. I hope indi gid kami magbunggoanay,” said Treñas.

Espinosa has refused to talk about Treñas’ possible run for mayor. He told city hall reporters, “Subong damo ang aton ulobrahon. No comment lang ko da anay.”

Treñas said common well-meaning friends have been egging him and Espinosa to talk things out.

“I am very open to it,” he said.

LOYALTY CHECK

The eight city government officials summoned on Friday were the following:

* Mitch Antiqueña – legislative staff

* Melchor Tan – executive assistant for infrastructure

* Abel Alejano – legislative staff

* Roy Firmeza – chief of the Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office

* Benito Jimena – executive assistant for special events

* Katherine Tingson – financial consultant

* Fernando Jose Rico – executive assistant for barangay affairs

* Irene Ong – consultant for barangay affairs

Firmeza described the meeting as a “loyalty check.”

“Kay ti, ang statement ‘ya (Espinosa’s senior executive assistant Rommel Castro) ‘you cannot serve two masters at the same time’. Naintindihan naton ina,” he said.

Tan confirmed this. He believed they were being made to choose who to support in the 2019 election.

Right there and then, Firmeza said, he decided to resign.

To give time for a “proper turnover”, however, his resignation would be effective March 15, said Firmeza.

Tan said Castro actually told them they could freely choose to stick it out with the city government.

“Hambal ‘ya something about nga kon gusto niyo magpabilin, okay man si Mayor Joe sa inyo. Pero kon didto kamo sa pihak, ti, tender na kamo sang inyo resignation,” said Tan.

For Tan, it was not a difficult decision to make.

“We we’re being asked to choose between our boss Mayor Joe and our friend Congressman Jerry. Kinahanglan ta man trabaho pero indi ta gid mapabay-an ang aton nga abyan,” said Tan.

For Firmeza, it’s all about the trust and confidence the appointing authority has on an appointee.

“Kon daw medyo nagbuhin na ang kompiyansa sang appointing authority, dapat hatagan mo sya ligwa so makadesignar sya kon sin-o masaligan ‘ya. Naintindihan naton ina,” said Firmeza.

Still, he admitted finding the current situation of the mayor and congressman awkward.

“Nasaw-ahan ako mamati. Isa lang kami ka grupo. Ang pag-ulolopod namon nanday Joe kag Jerry way back 1987 pa,” said Firmeza.

Treñas said this most recent development saddened him.

“I am hurting. These people are also loyal to Mayor Joe. Para sa akon indi ‘ni sila dapat pagpapiliun,” said Treñas.

The congressman also clarified he has yet to make a final decision on his 2019 political plans./PN
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