ILOILO City – Cong. Jerry Treñas shouting at Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc., (IDFI) vice president Marissa Segovia was uncalled for, said Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
Treñas confronted Segovia on Feb. 14 during the meeting of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (ILED), according to Espinosa.
ILED is a nonprofit, private sector-led organization promoting Iloilo City to investors. It is chaired by former Tourism secretary Narzalina Lim.
“Maninggit ka sa babaye kag insultuhan ang babaye. There were people there. Kag pagwaan mo nga si Marissa nagsinggit?” said Espinosa.
Treñas confronted Segovia for not inviting him to the Dinagyang Festival last month.
In a previous interview with reporters, Treñas said that as an official of the city, he should have been invited to the Dinagyang and that the festival should have been spared from politics.
Treñas is running for mayor against Espinosa this May 13 midterm elections.
Espinosa denied he had a hand in the non-invitation of Treñas to the Dinagyang.
“Wala ko gapahilabot sa program sang IDFI,” said Espinosa.
According to the mayor, he did not want to comment on the shouting incident but “gina-twist nga ako ang may sala.”
“There were business people there at the ILED meeting. Ikaw maninggit, ako ‘ya basulon? Amo na kun utok mo puro pulitika,” said Espinosa.
Treñas previous told reporters he was disappointed because it was during his term as mayor that the private sector – the IDFI for that matter – was tapped to handle the yearly Dinagyang.
“I will never do it to a woman. Ako na-shock pagkabati ko. I know Marissa. Tani ginapatawag mo lang sekreto kun may lain ka buot,” said Espinosa.
Treñas reportedly already apologized for his behavior that reduced Segovia to tears./PN
