By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan
Mayor Jerry Treñas has confirmed his intention to seek a local office in the upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) but remained ambiguous about the specifics, including his political ticket.
During his regular press briefing on Monday, March 11, Treñas shared, “I am really sure that I will be running in the 2025 [NLE]. That’s a period. That’s all I can give.”
The mayor, a member of the National Unity Party since the 2019 NLE, avoided disclosing which position he would contest or whether he would ally with the same team, including Lone District Rep Julienne Baronda and Vice-Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.
The future political roles of his children, Miguel, a current city councilor, and Raisa, are also undecided.
The mayor did not comment on whether his nephew Jay, presently one of his executive assistants, would make a return to local legislation; however, he mentioned that it remains a possibility.
“The lineup is currently being discussed, but it will depend on certain [things],” he said.
Treñas also humorously dismissed any national ambitions or overtures from any party like a Senate run.
“Senator? That would be difficult because I do not have abilities like [Senator Robinhood Padilla].”
Details on the 2025 electoral lineup will be forthcoming as “Everything will be known come filing time [for certificates of candidacy],” he added.
While the official election calendar from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is pending, candidacies are expected to be filed around October this year.
Treñas is serving his second term as mayor, an office he previously held from 2001 to 2010, followed by a stint in Congress until 2019.
Treñas, however, was very sure that no one from the family of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would seek political office in Iloilo, citing a conversation with First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos.
The First Lady has caught the attention of political pundits due to her increased presence in the city and province and teaching role at West Visayas State University-College of Law.
Rumors of the First Family dabbling in Iloilo politics were further stoked by a declaration of Presidential sister, Senator Imelda Josefa Marcos, that one of his sons was considering a run here.
