By Herbert Vego
WE found ourselves having coffee with former Iloilo City Mayor Jose “Joe” Espinosa III at Hotel del Rio last Sunday. The one and only question I asked him was whether he had smoked the peace pipe with his brother-in-law, incumbent Mayor Jerry Treñas.
He would not comment for whatever reason. But his ear-to-ear smile confirmed the rumor that the two had met in private to bury the hatchet.
It was a smart move in view of the impending break-up of the mayor’s alliance with Congresswoman Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda because of his daughter Raisa’s intention to run against her.
Since the filing of certificates of candidacy is scheduled in October yet, however, it is also possible that it’s Baronda who might have to defend her House seat against Treñas while Raisa would run for mayor against a less formidable wannabe.
While the direction of the political wind is unpredictable, it’s a cinch the Espinosas’ reconciliation with the Treñases would benefit both families, given the assumption that Joe III would run for vice-mayor or another position least expected.
The “together again” of the magbilas could mean an “uphill” trek for Baronda, considering that she lost to re-electionist Vice-Mayor Espinosa in 2016, who would eventually replace elected Mayor Jed Mabilog in 2917 after the latter fled to Canada to escape the wrath of President Rodrigo Duterte, who had pronounced him “drug lord” with no iota of evidence.
As the mayor taking over Mabilog, Joe III unexpectedly defended his post against “brod” Jerry (then an outgoing congressman) in 2019 but lost.
In 2019 and again 2022, Baronda run for congresswoman and won both times.
If Inday Jam-jam thinks she has grown strong enough to go against an ally, well, the world is so “bilog” anybody could turn up on the other side.
The word “bilog,” on the other hand, may refer to a fortune so irresistible it’s worth wrestling for.
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MORE POWER’S REFUND STILL APPLIES
SINCE February 2020 when MORE Power took over the role of sole power-distribution utility in Iloilo City, its customers have surged from 62,000 to almost 100,000 today.
Some of these new customers, including former pilferers, have been refunded the bill deposits they made on getting legally connected.
In fact, those who have not yet taken advantage of the refund are never too late. All they have to do is pay their bills religiously as scheduled for 36 straight months, and be able to divert the refund for other purposes.
Take the case of Jocelyn Guzman Valenzuela, one of these “bill returnees”. She enthused, “I received my refund even if I had not expected it. I will use the money to pay my bills.”
My niece Anna, also refunded, bought school supplies for her two kids.
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THE SON ALSO RISES
CONGRATULATIONS to nurse Neri Torrato Camina Jr., son of Tigbauan, Iloilo councilor and broadcaster Neri Sr., who has made an impressive mark in the field of healthcare in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. For example, he is a recipient of 2,500 online certificates of recognition from various institutions worldwide.
Neri Jr.’s story is one of inspiration and relentless pursuit of knowledge. Growing up in a family that valued education and public service, he developed a deep-seated commitment to self-improvement and community welfare. parents. His father’s influence as a public official and broadcaster instilled in him the importance of communication and service, while his mother Merle’s entrepreneurial spirit inspired him to continuously seek new opportunities for growth.
The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity for him to study and stay updated on the best patient-care practices. He spent time completing online courses on a wide range of health-care practices, ranging from basic first aid and emergency to advanced medical procedures.
In a chat with this writer, Junior said “I have always believed in the power of education to transform lives. In health care, continuous learning is crucial because it directly impacts people’s lives. By acquiring this knowledge, I can better serve my community and stay informed about the latest healthcare trends and technologies.”
He was in London last month to receive an “International Excellence Award“ from the World Book of Records.
