Gonzalez camp hurt but accepts Treñas’s decision
Dr. Pacita Gonzalez cheers as her son Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr. enters the venue of the press conference which is full of their supporters.Contrary to the expectations of many political observers, the press conference called by the Gonzalez camp yesterday was civil towards the decision of Mayor Jerry Treñas to run for congressman in the 2010 polls.
Iloilo City Lone District Representative Raul Gonzalez Jr. admitted that they were hurt by Treñas’s decision to leave their group, but he said it’s his choice so “I give him my best wishes.”
Throughout his opening statement Gonzalez Jr. merely referred to Treñas as “abyan (friend)” and he did not hurl any negative statements against their former political ally for almost nine years.
The press conference was attended not only by mediamen but also by the Gonzalez supporters mostly barangay captains and city councilors, namely, Eldrid Antiquera, Antonio Pesina, Jeffrey Ganzon, Ely Estante, Irene Ong, and Armand Parcon.
Presidential legal counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. was not present since he was in Manila but his wife Pacita was there to show her full support to her son.
Gonzalez Jr. said he was surprised why Treñas had to leave their group since they share the same ideals and vision for the development and progress of Iloilo City.
“Why can’t he wait for three years? It’s just a very short time,” Gonzalez Jr said referring to his bid for his last and final term as congressman.
Gonzalez stressed that he is not threatened by Trenas’s decision to run against him. He said the mayor is competent and someone the city could be proud of but still it is the people who will decide on who to vote comes election day.
He recalled that the Gonzalez-Treñas tandem was a force to reckon with for the past nine years.
“As long as we stand united, we will prevail,” Gonzalez Jr. told their supporters and leaders.
With Treñas’s decision to leave their group and run for congressman, Gonzalez Jr. said they are now free to complete their slate from vice mayor down to the city councilors.
He said the completion of their slate will be made through a convention to be held on November 14.
Gonzalez Jr. said the convention will be open to all political aspirants, even non-members of the Lakas Kampi party, as long as they “share the same vision with us.”
As of yesterday Gonzalez Jr. did not give any hint as to who will be their vice mayoralty bet as well as the composition of their councilorables.
