By Francis Allan L. Angelo
In a bold but overly familiar twist to the political telenovela that is Iloilo City governance, Mayor Jerry Treñas has passed the political baton – or perhaps more accurately, the family scepter – to his daughter, Raisa Treñas-Chu, for the city’s lone congressional seat in the 2025 elections.
Because when it comes to political succession, why look to the qualified masses when you have a perfectly good heir in the family tree?
With the finesse of a seasoned scriptwriter, Mayor Treñas dropped the cliffhanger on an unsuspecting public, hinting at his daughter’s foray into the family business—politics, that is.
Meanwhile, Representative Julienne Baronda played the role of the loyal ally, dodging questions like a pro and preaching unity with the zeal of a televangelist. But, like any good drama, the plot thickens with talks of division in the “USWAG” (more like WAS-AG) camp, following the unceremonious sacking of her sister Love-Love, a former city councilor, from the mayoral court.
It appears the Treñas dynasty, far from bucking the trend, seems to be doubling down on the age-old tradition of political inheritance. Why foster new leadership when you can keep it all in the family? It’s democracy with a twist of monarchy, because nothing says “people’s representative” like a family crest.
But let us not overlook the valiant efforts of the city leaders, who urge unity in the face of adversity – specifically, the adversity of sharing power with anyone not sharing their DNA. Indeed, the progress of Iloilo City hangs in the balance, teetering on the fine line between democratic ideals and dynastic ambitions.
One can only wonder what the citizens of Iloilo City think as they watch the political stage set for another Treñas to potentially take the spotlight. Will they vote for the comfort of a familiar name, or dare to rewrite the script with a new protagonist?
As the curtains rise on this saga, remember: in the game of thrones, you win or you dynast-ize. Stay tuned for the next episode in this familial saga, where political seats are not won, but handed down like heirloom furniture. And so, the wheel turns, and democracy takes a backseat to dynasty. Curtain falls. #RiceIloilo
