Treñas breaks ties with Gonzalezes, to run for congressman
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas declares running for congressman in next year's election at the Treñas law office. He was accompanied by his wife Rosalie, their five children and other family members.City Mayor Jerry Treñas finally broke his ties with Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. as he declared his plan to run as congressman in the lone district of Iloilo City against incumbent Representative Raul Gonzalez Jr. in next year’s election.
Treñas declared his intention to run yesterday at the Treñas Law Office. The office was founded by his grandfather Senator Potenciano Treñas, a member of the Nationalista Party and his father Constitutional Convention Commissioner Efrain Trenas 20 years ago. His father was a member of the Liberal Party.
His supporters inside and outside the building shouted with joy when the mayor announced he is running for congressman. A public address system was installed outside the building for the people to hear the statement of the mayor. Before and after his announcement, the music entitled “Nobody” by the Wonder Girls was being played to add more color to the momentous chapter in Treñas’s political life.
In his declaration speech, Treñas said running as congressman in the May 2010 elections is the “most difficult decision” in his life. He left his party and agonized much. He also sought the prayers of his friends and family to guide him in his political decision. He underwent a discernment process with the help of the Carmelite Sisters in the town of Dueñas headed by Mother Superior Sister Tita.
Treñas said he left his political party and fell into the hands of God and the people. He said, he answered the call of the people and ready for the next year’s political exercise. The question now lays on the people on whether they are ready to accept his decision.
Treñas is not threatened by the number of barangay captains and machineries the Gonzalezes have. The number of the punong barangays and machineries should not become as basis in selecting a leader, he said. “It is the people who will decide in the end,” he said.
As of this time, Treñas has yet to resign from the Lakas party in which he and Gonzalez belong. He is the Lakas chair in the city while the elder Gonzalez is the party’s Vice President for Visayas. Although there are presidentiables who are courting him to join their group, Treñas has yet to decide on which political group he will join.
The Lakas party leadership tried to intervene and resolve the issue in the local scene. However, there are local issues which the party leaders could not resolve. It is the reality in local politics, said Treñas.
Treñas assured that he will continue to support Pres. Arroyo although he will already leave the party.
As to date, he has yet to decide and form his group for next year’s election. Treñas said it will only complicate things. He said he has first to make a decision for himself.
Treñas was accompanied by his wife Rosalie and their five children when he made the declaration. The mayor and his family were sporting light blue-colored shirt.
The mayor said the color is very significant in making his decision just like his law office. The color signifies the color of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The same color was used in his former school.
On her part, Mrs. Treñas said he learned two words from his husband on his decision to run against Gonzalez. These are discernment process and compassion. Discernment process that led the mayor to make the right decision and compassion not only for his family but to the Ilonggos and their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mrs. Treñas was in tears when he showed his support to his husband.
The Treñas family and the Sarabias were also present yesterday in showing their support to the mayor. The second floor of the building where the law office is located was crowded with the mayor’s supporters and friends. Among those who were spotted were former Councilor Marieta Orleans and Councilor Lyndon Acap.
If Gonzalez has the support of the majority of the punong barangays, Treñas have the support of the former punong barangays headed by former Bakhaw Barangay Captain George Duron and former South San Jose Barangay Captain Eliezer Villanueva.
The former punong barangays were wearing red shirt printed with “Nobody but you Jerry.” The leader of the Trenas for Congressman Movement, Rudy Isleta was also present.
