By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas revealed that part of his daily routine while in the hospital includes praying for former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and lone district Rep. Julienne “JamJam” Baronda, both of whom have been his political allies in past elections.
“I am reading. I am praying. I am praying for everyone […] including Mabilog and Baronda. And I hope that they will be touched by God the Almighty,” Treñas said during a radio interview on Thursday.
However, it was unclear what specific divine intervention Treñas sought for the two politicians.
The mayor’s comments came after Mabilog recently criticized policies implemented under Treñas’ administration, such as the increase in real property tax, paid street parking, and higher fees for small convenience stores.
Mabilog, who has chosen not to return to politics, is currently supporting Baronda’s Team Gugma Sulong.
Earlier this year, Treñas and Baronda severed political ties when the mayor endorsed his daughter to run for the congressional seat held by Baronda for two terms.
However, by the time of the filing period, both camps appeared to have reconciled, agreeing not to oppose each other in the congressional and mayoralty races.
Daily Guardian sources said the two camps were forced into “a shotgun marriage” arranged by prominent names in the political and business spheres.
As a result, Treñas’ daughter is running for mayor while the mayor temporarily steps away from politics due to health concerns.
Baronda, meanwhile, is seeking her third and final term as the city’s representative in Congress.
Treñas welcomed this development, describing it as a positive step for Iloilo City’s future.
“This is a welcome development as both camps have demonstrated respect for the unity that our ruling party has sought to foster,” he said in an October 9 statement.
He dismissed claims that Team Uswag initiated the negotiations for a unified slate, saying, “It came from a Leadership proposal for unity in Iloilo City.”
“On our part in Team Uswag, we accepted the terms and acted in good faith right from the start; we did not falter and held on.”
Reflecting on his decades-long political career, Treñas expressed gratitude for Iloilo City’s growth under his leadership, which began when he first became a councilor in 1986.
“I am really praying for Team Uswag because I still remember when I first became councilor […] the progress of our city is due to what Team Uswag has supported and done for the city,” he added.
