In Iloilo City, politics isn’t just strange; it’s a full-blown circus where party loyalty is a farce and personal motives reign supreme.
The recent political maneuverings highlight this unholy alliance of personal and familial motivations, where politicians shift party affiliations not out of ideological alignment, but for personal gain and power retention.
Take the curious case of Raisa Treñas-Chu, daughter of Mayor Jerry Treñas. Despite being slated for an oath-taking with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), she opted instead to join the National Unity Party (NUP).
This decision was confirmed by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., who seemed perplexed by the last-minute change, though he emphasized there were no barriers preventing her from joining the PFP.
Mayor Treñas himself revealed that Raisa felt hesitant about joining PFP, hinting at some underlying resistance.
Governor Defensor, also the regional party chairman of PFP, is orchestrating a grand mass oath-taking for 600 local officials from Iloilo province, scheduled for June 2.
Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. are among the dignitaries expected to attend.
The event aims to solidify the PFP’s regional foothold, though it has been postponed several times, underscoring the fluid nature of Iloilo’s political commitments.
Adding to this theater, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and Councilor Miguel Treñas have confirmed their allegiance to PFP. Mayor Treñas announced their defection, alongside other incumbent councilors and barangay captains.
Yet, even as these political figures pledge loyalty to PFP, they hedge their bets with alliances in the NUP, exemplified by Raisa Treñas-Chu’s strategic positioning.
This political game is symptomatic of a deeper malaise: politicians see parties not as platforms for progressive policies but as vehicles for personal ambition.
The lack of programmatic continuity and the focus on power retention over public service spell disaster for sustainable and equitable development. It’s a death knell for genuine progress, as long-term policies are sacrificed at the altar of short-term political gains.
In Iloilo City, politicians are less like ideological warriors and more like opportunistic traders, ready to jump ship at the slightest whiff of personal benefit. This isn’t just political pragmatism; it’s a betrayal of the public trust. The electorate, caught in this charade, is left wondering if any political promises will ever materialize into meaningful action.
As Iloilo City, also known as the Athens of the Philippines for its numerous educational institutions, braces for the upcoming 2025 elections, the electorate deserve more than just lip service and party-hopping antics.
They deserve leaders committed to genuine public service and sustainable development. Until then, the city remains caught in a perpetual cycle of “political orgy,” where strange bedfellows unite not for the greater good but for their own survival.
It’s time to call out this farce and demand a new breed of politicians who prioritize people over power, progress over personal gain.
Otherwise, Iloilo’s political landscape will remain a theater of the absurd, where sustainable development and equitable growth are but illusions on a stage of shifting alliances.
