City bigwigs launch 2022 poll campaigns

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Prominent names in Iloilo City politics went out big this weekend as they launched their respective campaigns for the 2022 local elections, which formally began on Friday, March 25, 2022.

According to Commission on Elections (Comelec) data, 4 candidates are vying for the lone district congressional seat, 3 for mayor, 2 for vice mayor, and 29 for councilor.

While this is the official start of the campaign period for local candidates, they have been making waves with residents since last year and even endorsed national candidates who have been barnstorming the country since the national campaigns started Feb. 8.

TEAM USWAG

A sea of pink filled the Commissioner Efrain B. Treñas Boulevard on Saturday, March 27, as Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas formally launched his re-election bid together with his Team Uswag.

Joining him were re-electionists Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and lone district Rep. Julienne Baronda and their 12-person city council slate composed of 5 re-electionist councilors, one who is seeking a full term, and 6 new hopefuls.

Uswag’s city council slate includes incumbents Romel Duron, Ely Estante, Rudolph Ganzon, Carlos Javellana, Alan Zaldivar, and Frances Grace Parcon, and newcomers Urminico Baronda, Sedfrey Cabaluna, John Eric David, Rex Sarabia, Miguel Treñas, and Johnny Young.

Parcon, while an incumbent, is running for the first time as she replaced her father Armand, who died after the 2019 elections even before he could start his term.

Cabaluna and Sarabia are running on their second try after unsuccessful bids, the former in 2016 and the latter in 2019.

Pink highlighted Uswag’s support for the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan in the presidential elections.

The guests during the launching include Senator Franklin Drilon and Aika Robredo, who representer her mother.

Other prominent people in attendance include Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., who is running for re-election under Uswag Ilonggo Party; and his brother 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor, 2nd district Rep. Michael Gorriceta, and Uswag Ilonggo Party-list nominees Jojo Ang and Raisa Treñas-Chu.

Prior to the program, the team’s supporters held a unity walk from Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue going to the program venue, which was joined by re-electionist Councilor Candace Tupas, who is not part of the mayor’s slate but is running under the Uswag banner.

Treñas led his team in asking supporters to go out for them, as well as for Robredo and Pangilinan.

The mayor claimed that 80 percent of city residents would vote for Robredo, citing a survey he commissioned.

He said that Robredo and Pangilinan would be the best for the city’s children and grandchildren.

“I wouldn’t want to run anymore because I’m already 65 [years old], but let’s not leave politics to other people, let’s think about our children and grandchildren. That is why I am betting on Leni Robredo,” he said.

Baronda, who made national headlines last year for her line of questioning during hearings on the ABS-CBN network franchise bill, said she would vow to continue her H.O.P.E. (Health, Obra, Peace, and Education) platforms on her second term.

She cited her achievements in her first term in congress, including the establishment of the Regional Heart and Lung Center at the Western Visayas Medical Center, and the Uswag Iloilo City Hospital.

“I am here standing in front of you. I can look up straight into your eyes that I have delivered my campaign promises, the governance of HOPE,” she said.

She echoed Robredo’s famous debate line, “the last man standing is a woman,” but remained mum on her presidential and vice-presidential endorsement.

Aika Robredo vouched for her mother and Treñas in her speech, underscoring their respective achievements in governance.

“Here in Iloilo, you are very lucky because I know that you already understand the meaning of good governance. Mayor Jerry Treñas is one of the leaders who we can say is sincere in his service and does not choose anyone in providing assistance,” said Robredo.

“And if government has these features, it is certain that those who need lifting up the most will be lifted up. As we say [in the Robredo campaign]: in an honest government, all lives are lifted up. Hopefully no one lets go until the end. Let us all help each other. Let’s win this,” she added.

ESPINOSA COMEBACK

Former mayor Jose Espinosa III launched his campaign on Friday, in a bid to return to city politics by challenging Baronda for the lone district congressional seat.

This will be the second time that Espinosa and Baronda will clash as they also vied for the office of the vice mayor in 2010 which Espinosa won.

Espinosa’s wife, Gina Sarabia, is the sister of Rosalie Sarabia, who is married to Treñas.

Unlike the team of his brother-in-law Treñas, Espinosa held his campaign launch virtually via Facebook.

In his speech, Espinosa touted his achievements through the years as city councilor, vice-mayor, and mayor.

He also presented his 7-point JOEABLE (Jobs, Overall welfare, Education, Agriculture, Business, Law and order, and Environment), saying that what he wants for Iloilo City may even be implemented in other parts of the country.

These include improving job quality outside Metro Manila, improving local social services especially for marginalized sectors, enhancing the public school system, and providing greater incentives to farmers and fisherfolk, among others.

But his main campaigners that night were his four daughters – Regine, Patricia, Bea, and Isabelle.

Isabelle said she would introduce her father not only as the head of their own family but the “big family of Iloilo City,” outlining his clear-headedness, compassion, and integrity.

“I would introduce my dad as a father not only for me, but also for the whole of Iloilo City, and one of the major roles of a father is to be the head of the family, and given that responsibility, you have to always have the right headspace,” she said.

“You have to know your goals, the direction that you’re going, because if you have that organization in your life, it will lead you to make the right decisions for the people who are following you, the people who trust your leadership. We always say that wherever the head goes, the body follows,” she added.

“My dad is a man of his word. My dad works out of compassion, and my dad is a person who has integrity, and I think those are one of the most important characteristics and values that you need to possess as a leader,” she stated.

Bea, Patricia, and Regine cite their ease of access to him despite his busy schedule when he was part of the city government.

Patricia cited the time when her dad was vice-mayor, he would fly to Manila just to take care of her.

“Papa was my savior because he is easy to call, and is the first one to give you the right answer at the right time. He is very easy to talk to, and easy to approach,” said Bea.

“We haven’t thought about what we actually need but he is already thinking about it, and he asks us if we need a helping hand. I, as a person, or a resident of the city, I want a leader who has foresight for the city,” said Regine.

“During my board exams, he was vice-mayor I think, and he told me that I might be late. He really flew to Manila. He woke me up, he prepared my breakfast, he really brought me to the testing center. When I got back, there was dinner so I don’t have to worry. I haven’t thought about what I needed yet, but he already thought about it for me,” he said.

Senator Cynthia Villar of the Nacionalista Party (NP), where Espinosa belongs, left a recorded message in support of his congressional bid.

“We have known [Espinosa] for long, not only as a member of the [NP], but also as a friend from the time when he was city councilor. He is a hardworking public servant and his service is clean and honest in various positions he held. He led the promotion of transparency and good government in Iloilo City,” Villar said.

“His excellence and his vast experience in public service, coupled with his intelligence and diligence as a lawyer are what he will bring to his service to [Ilonggos] when in congress. I truly believe that his JOEABLE platform can give prosperity and development to you in Iloilo City,” she added.

The program was also flourished by special performances from Ilonggo artists who have expressed their support for the former mayor.

The official campaign period for both national and local candidates in the 2022 elections will end on May 7, according to the Comelec’s calendar.