By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan
The Treñas family has become synonymous with Iloilo City, from pandemic recovery efforts to boosting tourism and supporting then-Vice President Leni Robredo.
At the center of this legacy is Mayor Jerry Treñas, who returned to the mayor’s office in 2019 after serving as the city’s lone district representative for 9 years in the 15th, 16th, and 17th Congresses.
Treñas began his professional career as a lawyer, earning political science and law degrees from Ateneo de Manila University. He ranked 11th in the 1982 Bar Examinations with a score of 88.325%.
His political lineage is notable. His grandfather, Potenciano Treñas, briefly served as mayor in 1934, while his father, Efrain Treñas, was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution.
Jerry Treñas’ political journey began in 1986 as an appointed city councilor. He was later elected to the council and briefly served as mayor in 1992, succeeding Mansueto Malabor.
In 2001, Treñas won his first full term as mayor, serving until 2010. His tenure saw significant developments, including the city’s airport relocation and the rise of its IT-BPM sector.
Over the years, Treñas shifted political affiliations, moving from Lakas-CMD to the Nacionalista Party, then to the Liberal Party, PDP-Laban, and later to the National Unity Party.
His flexibility in aligning with ruling parties earned him key positions, such as chair of the House committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and a member of the Commission on Appointments.
Treñas returned to city hall in 2019 after defeating his brother-in-law, Jose Espinosa III, and was re-elected in 2022. However, he opted not to seek a third term in 2025 due to health reasons, hinting at a possible Congressional comeback in 2028.
THE KIDS ARE HERE
The Treñas family’s political influence extends to the next generation. Jerry’s nephew, Jay, served on the city council from 2013 to 2022, followed by his son, Miguel, who joined in 2022.
Now, Jerry’s eldest daughter, Raisa Maria Lourdes, also known as Inday Raisa, aims to continue their family’s legacy in Iloilo City.
Raisa served as her father’s executive assistant and filed her mayoral candidacy in October 2024. She had previously run as the second nominee of the Uswag Ilonggo Party-list but was unsuccessful.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Raisa became actively involved in city government projects, including the Uswag Community Kitchen and the production of cloth face masks.
Before entering public service, she was the Chief Executive Officer of their family business and treasurer of the Iloilo Baker’s Association.
Although initially endorsed by her father to run for the city’s Congressional seat, Raisa “chose to pursue” the mayoralty following her father’s retirement announcement.
