Gonzalez, Sr. denies eyeing candidates other than Treñas
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr. belied reports that he will field his own candidates for the mayorship and vice mayoralty positions against Mayor Jerry Treñas and his group in next year's election.
Gonzalez said it never came across his mind to endorse and support the candidacy of Barangay Capt. Bobby Divinagracia for the mayoral position and Barangay Capt. Irene Ong for vice mayor. Ong is the president of Liga ng mga Barangay-City Proper.
The report stirred the camp of Treñas, who is seeking reelection in next year's election. It added confusion as it is still unclear on who Treñas will choose and support as vice mayor since two of the councilors under his group are interested to run for the position.
This early Councilor Jose Espinosa III, whose wife is the sister of Treñas' better half Rosalie, and Councilor Jed Mabilog are interested to run as vice mayor. In previous elections, Espinosa also ran as vice mayor but lost.
Gonzalez said the report on Divinagracia's and Ong's interest on the mayoral and vice mayoral posts, respectively, is just an intrigue sown by their political foes. At the same time, Gonzalez also denied reports that his wife Dr. Pacita will run against Treñas. It is not true, said Gonzalez.
In the last election, his son Raul Jr. and Treñas ran in the same political party against former Mayor Mansueto Malabor. Raul Jr. won over Malabor.