Ong: I will not withdraw
Councilor Ma. Irene Ong, president of the Association of Barangay Captains in Iloilo City, has vowed to pursue her reelection bid as head of the city’s ABC.
“I will not withdraw,” Ong said media in various interviews in the wake of attempts to prevent her from running anew as Liga president.
A press release from Ong’s camp said she has been receiving calls from someone “very close to Cong. Jerry Trenas” who asked her to withdraw.
“I am prepared to lose. But I hope they will fight fairly,” said Ong, who called on the city’s political leaders not to get involved in the Liga ng mga Barangay election.
She said political leaders should “let the Punong Barangays decide for themselves” because the Liga is a “neutral” institution.
Ong is up against Roberto Divinagracia of Brgy. San Agustin, City Proper, who is reported to be the administration candidate.
Ong said she appreciates Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s gesture of telling the media that he will remain neutral, which she describes as “the mark of a true leader and statesman.”
Support
Former Undersecretary Lorenzo Jamora, who also ran for mayor in the last elections, has declared support for Ong’s reelection bid, saying Ong “deserves the full support of the city’s punong barangays because of her integrity and proven trustworthiness.”
Buntatala village head Love Joy Hosenilla, Liga president of Jaro district, has also pledged support for Ong.*
