By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The ongoing conflict between Iloilo City lone district Representative Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda and Mayor Jerry Treñas heats up, this time over who should have taken greater responsibility in addressing former city mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s alleged illegal drug links.
On Wednesday, August 28, Baronda replied to Treñas for shifting the responsibility to her, labeling it as “nonfeasance” and “a poor attempt” to absolve himself of responsibility as the then-duly elected congressman.
In 2016, former President Rodrigo Duterte alleged that Mabilog had links to illegal drugs and branded Iloilo City as the “most shabulized” area in the country.
Faced with threats from the administration, Mabilog went into exile in 2017 and has not returned to the country since.
At that time, Treñas was the congressman of Iloilo City, serving his last term, while Baronda was the chief political officer of Senator JV Ejercito.
Baronda pointed out that Treñas made “no effort, not even a single word was used to defend the city from the unfair tag.”
“As the congressman in 2016, Mayor Treñas had the sworn duty and moral responsibility to defend the city and its people,” the House Deputy Majority Leader added.
Baronda emphasized that despite being a private citizen during Duterte’s time, she helped Mabilog “to the best of her capacity,” and that Mabilog “was aware and appreciative of her efforts.”
In a recent press conference, Treñas admitted that he did not take any action to assist his long-time political ally.
The two ran on the same slate, with Mabilog as mayor and Treñas as congressman, winning together in 2010, 2013, and 2016.
“How can I do anything at all when I am not close to the powers that be [Duterte]?” Treñas said.
“When I ran in 2019, Marivic Mabilog [Jed’s wife] said that ‘I will not choose between Jerry and Joe Espinosa because they did not help us.’”
Treñas claimed that he had no access to the president and that he was “caught in a difficult position,” adding that Baronda had more responsibility to help Mabilog, given her close ties with the Duterte family and their allies.
It is worth noting that in 2018, Treñas was appointed as the Iloilo City council president of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, Duterte’s political party. He had run under the Liberal Party in 2016.
The controversy surrounding Mabilog’s alleged drug links recently resurfaced after Baronda asked a House quad-committee earlier this August to clear the city’s “most shabulized” tag due to a lack of evidence supporting such a claim.
Baronda also suggested that Mabilog be convinced to return to the country to testify and clear his name.
While agreeing that it is time for Mabilog to come back, Treñas questioned Baronda’s timing in seeking to clear the city and Mabilog’s name in the drug war.
He remarked that the congresswoman did not make such a move during Duterte’s time and implied that she was merely going along with the administration then.
Treñas and Baronda have recently parted ways as political allies after two consecutive elections. The city mayor accused Baronda of betraying him ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
Both officials are currently serving their second terms and have not yet disclosed their plans for the upcoming elections. However, Treñas has already endorsed his daughter and executive assistant, Raisa Treñas-Chu, to run for Congress as early as March.
