By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas accused former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of spreading disinformation in an alleged bid to gain public support for a political comeback.
“I feel very bad that there are people lying through their bones just to get back to City Hall. This is really bad. You do not have to destroy what has been done just to make sure you can make it to City Hall,” Treñas said during the flag ceremony on Feb. 17.
The mayor said Mabilog could freely discuss his platforms and accomplishments as city mayor from 2010 to 2017 instead of attempting to destabilize the current administration.
Mabilog recently questioned Iloilo City’s financial standing under Treñas’ leadership, particularly the PHP3.3-billion loan used to fund the rehabilitation of the Jaro Big Public Market.
Treñas also mentioned Mabilog’s younger brother, Joseph Victor “JV” Mabilog, who serves as an assistant department head at the Public Order and Safety Management Office.
He advised JV to consult the City Accountant and City Budget Office to verify the city’s actual financial status.
In a press conference, Treñas said if Mabilog intends to run in the 2028 elections, he should not resort to misleading the public.
He added that Mabilog is free to return to public office following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s grant of executive clemency in January.
Although the 2028 elections are nearly four years away, Treñas stressed the importance of ensuring that the public receives accurate information.
“I do not want people to be misled by lies […] I want to correct it as soon as possible so that it is clear to you,” he said.
Treñas emphasized that the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) loans used for renovating the city’s three public markets were approved by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.
He also questioned the Sulong-Gugma camp’s recent criticisms, despite previous agreements on Iloilo City’s mayoral and congressional races for the midterm elections.
