By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda faces a pivotal decision regarding her potential candidacy in the 2025 midterm elections, with her decision hinging on whether former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog will run for mayor again.
“If I have to be honest, if Jed would run, I would [also] run,” Baronda said in an interview with RMN Iloilo on Tuesday.
Baronda mentioned that she is seeking three signs to guide her decision. Two of these signs have already occurred: Mabilog’s return to the country and his testimony at a Quad Committee hearing in the House of Representatives.
The final sign she awaits is the public’s decision on whether they want Mabilog to return as city mayor.
“We are waiting for a sign from God to finally decide because, in all the places I have visited, there is only one call from the people: to continue the gugma (love),” she added.
Baronda emphasized that Mabilog remains highly popular, as demonstrated by the warm reception he received when he returned to Iloilo City after seven years on Sept. 20, coinciding with his 59th birthday.
“The popularity, the appeal, the charisma of Jed are really there. His performance and brand of service are still strong,” she said.
Mabilog, through his official Facebook page, expressed that he is praying for discernment amid questions about a possible run.
“On the question of whether I will run or not? Praying for discernment,” he said, adding, “Depende sa tingog sang pumuluyo. Vox Populi, Vox Dei (The voice of the people is the voice of God).”
On Sept. 20, Mabilog clarified that he has no immediate plans to reenter politics.
“I don’t have plans for politics — for now,” he said, while Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas stood beside him.
Despite this statement, Mabilog continues to leave the possibility of a political comeback to divine intervention.
Meanwhile, Baronda confirmed that her political lineup for the upcoming election is complete, including a vice mayoral candidate and 12 city councilors.
Baronda, who is currently serving her second term, may run for reelection. If she does, she will face Raisa Treñas-Chu, executive assistant and daughter of Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Mayor Treñas endorsed his daughter as early as March, signaling a political divide with Baronda, who had been his ally in the last two elections.
CORRECTION
Meanwhile, Baronda has corrected reports surrounding her political plans for the 2025 midterm elections, emphasizing that she never declared she would not seek any elective post.
In a statement issued by her spokesperson, Pastor Stanley Flores, Baronda addressed the public’s misreading of her previous remarks from March 15, 2024. The congresswoman said her message had been misunderstood, clarifying that at no point did she rule out running for office.
“Cong. Julienne ‘Jam-Jam’ Baronda never said that she would not run in that statement, either impliedly or categorically,” Flores stated.
Baronda’s March 2024 statement focused on her respect for Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and underscored the importance of unity amid challenges faced by the city.
However, speculation over her political future intensified after Treñas endorsed his daughter, Raisa Treñas, for the city’s lone congressional seat in the upcoming elections, signaling a political divergence between the mayor and Baronda.
In the March statement, Baronda expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Iloilo City and reaffirmed her commitment to continue helping its people, even if she were no longer in office.
“We respect Mayor Jerry Treñas as our leader… I think giving in to political division and letting our beloved city’s future get derailed would be a grave mistake,” she said, stressing the need for collaboration among leaders to solve Iloilo’s problems.
Her statement also reiterated her dedication to public service, regardless of her official position: “Ginapasalig ko kamo nga ipadayon ko ang akon pagserbisyo sa inyo bisan madula kita sa pwesto.”
