‘I’M READY’: Mayor pooh-poohs admin raps filed by rivals

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Friday said he was ready to respond to administrative charges filed by his political rivals in the 2022 local elections.

When asked about the charges, Treñas seemed unaware of the charges filed against him with the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas in Iloilo City on Friday, March 25, 2022.

As soon as he was informed, he simply told Daily Guardian via text: “I am ready to answer all issues if called upon to do so.”

The group of Treñas’ opponents in the elections led by mayoral bet Salvador “Jun” Capulot Jr. sued the mayor for alleged grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

The complaint claimed “scandalous and improper acts” by Treñas, which include the following:

– Contracting a P1.75 billion loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP);

– Procurement of motor vehicles for city councilors;

– Purchase of excessive quantity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, with P14 million worth having been allegedly expired and wasted; and

– Passage of a P438-million supplemental budget unrelated to COVID response.

In a later statement sent to the media, the mayor said that the supplemental budget, which was passed this month, was still subject to approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“The supplemental budget was approved by the City Council after it was prepared by the City Budget Office and reviewed by the different departments of the city government. Furthermore, the said supplemental budget will only become effective only upon review by the [DBM],” the mayor said.

The supplemental budget contains provisions for hiring of two new executive assistants, new regular positions, other job hires in city government offices, and various barangay-based infrastructure projects.