By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
For the first time in Iloilo City’s political history, women leaders will hold the city’s top elective positions following a landmark victory in the 2025 midterm elections.
Raisa Trenas-Chu, standard bearer of Team Uswag, won the mayoralty by a landslide over her lone rival, businessman Roland Magahin.
Treñas-Chu secured over 162,000 votes, while Magahin trailed with 72,000 votes — a staggering lead of nearly 40% based on the partial and unofficial results from the Commission on Elections.
Treñas-Chu will be succeeding her father, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, after serving as his executive assistant during the pandemic.
Looking at the previous election performance of her father, her father led the 2019 elections with an over 35% lead from Joe Espinosa III and 55% from Jun Capulot in 2022.
Her victory marks a continuation of the Treñas political dynasty, extending the family’s hold on the mayoralty to a combined 15 years.
In a statement on Monday night, May 12, Raisa expressed deep appreciation to the thousands of Ilonggos who stood by their team from the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC), through the intense campaign period, and until election day.
“Your support, strength, and time gave inspiration and courage to our entire team. To every volunteer, leader, friend, and each Ilonggo family who stood with us — thank you very much!” she said in Hiligaynon.
She ended her statement with a call for continued cooperation and public service.
In the heavily contested vice mayoral race, former City Councilor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda of the Team Sulong Gugma unseated incumbent Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, denying him a final term.
Love-Love won the seat by a small margin, receiving around 127,000 votes, while Ganzon earned 116,000 votes.
Her campaign gained momentum in the final stretch, reportedly buoyed by the influential support of the Iglesia ni Cristo, known for its bloc voting practices.
In the city’s lone congressional district, incumbent congresswoman Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda secured her third and final term after prevailing over perennial contender Mel Carreon and independent candidate Danilo Purzuelo.
City Council turns blue
Team Uswag also dominated the city council race, securing 11 out of 12 seats.
Leading the race was reelectionist Sedfrey Cabaluna, followed by fellow incumbents Miguel Treñas (2nd), Rex Marcus Sarabia (3rd), Alan Zaldivar (4th), Johnny Young (8th), Romel Duron (9th), Rudolph Ganzon (10th), and Frances Grace Parcon (12th).
Other Team Uswag bets who made it to the top 12 include Lyndon Acap (5th), Nene Dela Llana (6th), and Mandrie Malabor (7th).
Only Sheen Marie Mabilog from Team Sulong Gugma broke through the Uswag sweep, finishing 11th in the council race.
This year’s election is Cabaluna and Treñas’ second time to secure the top spots for the City Council, respectively.
The Comelec said the proclamation of winners is scheduled on Tuesday afternoon, May 13.
