INITIALLY, Lone District of Iloilo City congressman Jerry Treñas declared he won’t run for any elective position after his incumbency ends in June 2019.
This made potential wannabes rejoice; they considered Treñas their greatest political stumbling block in the 2019 midterm elections.
Let’s admit it. Jerry is a concreted political animal and no one in the city is made of the same or sterner stuff. Not even his bilas,’ incumbent mayor Joe Espinosa III who, by a twist of fate, became an instant mayor (his predecessor sought asylum to a country no one dares to live in unless one is filthy rich).
What made Jerry change his mind?
Several of his leaders (those who have been with him since the beginning of his political career) were given lackadaisical treatment by the new mayor. Most were put in the bin of trash. They were deliberately ignored and treated as if they were inflicted with bubonic plague.
There can only be one reason for the cold treatment: their loyalty was being questioned. They were considered threats to the incumbent mayor.
Jerry came to a decision to break an early promise not to run anymore because he wanted to put things in their proper perspective. After all, it was a vow not engraved in biblical tablet.
Also, he believed his people deserve better treatment. He wanted them redeemed from the tyrannical clutch of someone obsessed to keep the “game of throne” perpetually his.
Actually, Congressman Jerry has a hundred thousand reasons for clashing head0on against his bilas, incumbent mayor Joe Espinosa III. For one, he is being frontally attacked without provocation. This is no longer a tug-of-war play but political survival of the fittest.
In fairness to both, their ultimate goal is to serve the public. This is one classic example how politics can ruin a relationship and make a monster out of a man; brothers against brothers, friends against friends, so on and so forth.
Cong. Jerry Treñas however, doesn’t want to take this personally. All he wanted is to finish what he’d left behind as city mayor six years ago. He realized there are still a lot of things to improve and accomplish.
Also, he wanted to clear his name that was tarnished by recent false accusations regarding, among others, the housing mess and his close association with people allegedly engaged in illegal drugs.
In recent surveys by two private firms, Jerry was leading his rivals for mayor by miles.
Jerry works harder. He is not complacent. He finds his “second coming” more challenging and inspiring at the same time. (nr4237085@gmail.com/PN)
