Treñas ready for political battle
There is no turning back for Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas of the Nacionalista Party (NP) after he filed yesterday his certificate of candidacy (COC) for congressman in the lone district of Iloilo City.
The simple activity turned into a show of force for the Treñas group. They had a motorcade after a mass at the Seminario Jaro before they went to the City Comelec office on the second floor of the Iloilo Terminal Market to file their COCs.
Treñas stressed he is ready for political battle in the May 2010 elections to continue his vision in making Iloilo City a premiere city in 2010. His group chose the Andres Bonifacio Day in filing their COCs since the national hero is an epitome of bravery and strength.
Records from the City Comelec showed that in the congressional race,Treñas, former Mayor Mansueto Malabor, and Juanito Gaje have filed their COCs.
The News Today learned that the Gonzalez group, led by the father and son tandem Raul Gonzalez Jr. for congressman and Raul Gonzalez Sr. for mayor, will file their COCs today.
Treñas was accompanied by his vice mayoral candidate Councilor Jose Espinosa III and candidates for councilors, namely, ABC City Proper president Bobby Divinagracia, Iloilo Boarding House Commission head Edward Yee, Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (ICUPAO) head Roni Firmeza and businessman Johnny Young.
The group also adopted incumbent Councilor Lex Tupas of Ugyon-Liberal Party and Jason Gonzales in their slate. Tupas left his allies Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog and Councilor Julienne Baronda and joined Treñas’s group.
Treñas confirmed that several barangay captains who used to support the group of Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. already defected to him. There are barangay captains who are still with the other group who have yet to make their presence visible.
The move of the barangay captains is deemed by Treñas as an advantage on their group. It is also better for them to stay with the other group for us to know what would be their plans, Treñas laughingly said.
Meanwhile, Espinosa said they are getting good support from the people and different leaders. The concerted effort of the group in pushing for the group’s vision, goal and direction is appreciated by the people.
Meanwhile, Mabilog along with his group filed their COCs after a morning mass at the Sta. Teresita Church yesterday.
Mabilog’s group is a coalition of different political parties. Mabilog is with the Liberal Party (LP). His vice mayoral bet Councilor Julienne Baronda is running under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).
The candidates for councilors under Mabilog’s group are former Councilors Joshua Alim (PDP-Laban), Erlinda Liberiaga (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), radioman Rodel Fullon Agado (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), Councilor Lyndon Acap (LP), Atty. Rleonie Gerochi (LP), Atty. Plaridel Nava (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) and activist Jory Porquia of the Bayan Muna.
