APATHETIC, DISENCHANTED: Iloilo City Poll Wins Marred by Low Voter Engagement

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Despite decisive victories for top posts in the 2025 midterm elections, an analysis by the Institute of Contemporary Economics (ICE) highlights a significant lack of voter participation in Iloilo City, painting a different picture from the record-high national turnout.

The study points to a potential “disenchantment with governance” as a substantial number of the city’s 330,621 registered voters abstained from voting in key races.

This contrasts sharply with the national trend, where a record 81.65% of registered voters participated.

According to the institute’s findings, which are based on official data from the Commission on Elections, the low engagement was evident across major contests:

For the House of Representatives seat, while Congresswoman Julienne Baronda secured a majority with 52% of registered voters, 34% of the electorate did not cast a vote for the position.

In the Mayoral Race Mayor-elect Raisa Trenas garnered votes equivalent to 49% of registered voters, but 29% of voters abstained from choosing a mayor.

Vice Mayor-elect Lady Grace Julie Baronda, won with 38% of the registered voter base, while 26% did not participate in the election for vice mayor.

The trend of voter apathy was most pronounced in the elections for the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council).

Of the nearly 39.7 million votes that could have been cast (12 per voter), a staggering 45% were not.  Only 33% of the total possible votes went to the winning candidates.

ICE suggests that the “absence of viable alternatives and competitive races” in the congressional and mayoral elections limited the healthy debate essential to democracy.

This lack of choice, the analysis warns, “presents the danger of stagnation” by reducing the need for candidates to present substantive governance platforms to the electorate.

“The lack of choice also presents the danger of stagnation as the need to present the electorate with a substantive governance platform is cast aside. Why, after all, should one candidate diligently prepare and present to the electorate a compelling and substantive vision when he or she is going to be elected anyway?”

ALLIANCE TO SPLIT-UP TO ARRANGEMENT

The subdued participation followed an unusual electoral pact between the Treñas and Baronda political camps, long-time allies whose alliance nearly fractured ahead of the 2025 vote.

The rift became public when Mayor Jerry Treñas initially announced that his daughter, Raisa Treñas-Chu, would challenge incumbent legislator Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda for the city’s lone congressional seat.

This move signaled a potential breakup of the dominant political coalition that had shaped Iloilo City politics.

In response to the escalating political tension, House Speaker Martin Romualdez reportedly intervened, calling for a “unity meeting” to reconcile the two factions. The talks proved fruitful, culminating in a last-minute agreement on the final day of the filing of certificates of candidacy.

This truce resulted in what was described as a “free zone” arrangement for the city’s top two posts.

In a joint statement in October 2024, Rep. Baronda of “Team Gugma” and Raisa Treñas-Chu of “Team Uswag” announced they would not field candidates against each other for the congressional and mayoral positions, respectively.

“After deep reflection and sincere dialogue, we have decided to come together once again for the greater good of our beloved city,” the statement read.

Under the agreement, Baronda sought her third and final term as congresswoman, while Treñas-Chu ran for mayor, succeeding her father who cited health reasons for not seeking reelection.

However, the “free zone” did not extend down the ballot and did not preclude others from running.

Both Team Uswag and Team Gugma fielded full slates for vice mayor and the 12-seat Sangguniang Panlungsod, setting the stage for intense competition in the undercard races.

Notably, Rep. Baronda’s sister, Lady Grace Julie “Love” Baronda, ran for vice mayor against Treñas-Chu’s running mate, then-incumbent Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.

Furthermore, the arrangement did not guarantee uncontested races for the top posts.

Rep. Baronda faced two independent candidates, Carmelo Carreon and Danilo Purzuelo, in her congressional bid.

Similarly, Raisa Treñas-Chu’s path to the mayoralty was challenged by her closest rival, Roland Magahin.

Ultimately, the election saw the victory of both Raisa Treñas-Chu as mayor and Julienne Baronda as congresswoman, along with Lady Grace Julie Baronda as vice mayor, ushering in an all-female leadership for Iloilo City’s top three executive and legislative positions.

DON’T BE COMPLACENT

Despite the historic results, the institute’s analysis urges citizens not to become complacent.

“In an environment where the political class has become ineffective, it is now up to the citizenry to hold their government to account,” the report said.

While calling for citizens to be vigilant in holding their elected officials accountable, ICE also advised giving the new leaders a chance to succeed.

“There will be a time to assess not just their words and promises but more importantly, their actions,” the ICE report concluded.