Ganzon Retires From Politics After Loss to Baronda

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Outgoing Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon announced his retirement from politics after losing his bid for a third and final term in the 2025 midterm elections.

“I don’t have plans to return to politics,” Ganzon said in a May 14 interview. “You can still give public service without joining politics if you are sincere in helping people.”

Ganzon lost to Lady Julie Grace ‘Love-Love’ Baronda of Team Sulong Gugma, who received 132,564 votes or 52.19 percent of the total, while Ganzon garnered 121,453 votes, equivalent to 47.81 percent.

“I am not affected. I am emotionally stable,” he said, adding that the outcome was the “will of God.”

Ganzon said he is ending his political career with grace, emphasizing that his integrity remains intact and that he is leaving office without any corruption issues.

He expressed hope that Baronda will fulfill her campaign promises, particularly those aimed at improving the welfare of Ilonggos.

He urged the incoming vice mayor to prioritize initiatives she pledged, including free transportation for public school students and increased wages for city government job hires.

Ganzon noted that some of these programs were started during his term, such as the standardization of job hire salaries, which now match the private sector’s minimum wage of PHP 480 per day.

He also called on his allies in the city council to remain united and professional in advancing the city’s development.

“My appeal is to always observe proper decorum and protocol since we are a first-class municipality,” he said. “Let’s show respect and show to other cities that we are a City of Love.”

Ganzon acknowledged that while Iloilo City has intelligent councilors, emotions during deliberations can sometimes lead to lapses in decorum, even in constructive debates.

Of the 12 newly elected city councilors, 11 are from Team Uswag or aligned with the Treñas administration, while only one—Sheen Marie Mabilog—is from Team Sulong Gugma, Baronda’s camp.