‘IT’S A LEGAL ISSUE’: Mayor Denies Politicizing Parola Wharf Renegotiation

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas blew his top as he dismissed allegations that the city government’s move to renegotiate the decade-old deal for the Iloilo-Guimaras Ferry Terminal at Parola Wharf is politically motivated.

“It’s a legal issue. Why would they say it’s politics since politics has nothing to do with it? I do not even sign documents regarding it,” he said in a press conference on Monday, February 17.

The mayor questioned why some individuals were actively defending the 2012 Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) of the city government with the DoubleDragon Properties Corporation (DDPC), which he described as “totally, completely, and grossly disadvantageous to the city.”

The JVA, executed in October 2012, was signed by former city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog on behalf of the city government and Ferdinand J. Sia, representing two corporations: DDPC and the terminal corporation at Parola.

“I never uttered a single word on the DoubleDragon issue until Jed came up and tried to defend it,” he said.

“I ask him, why is he defending it and what is his interest in it. Does he have an interest in defending the 1%? Does he have a part in the 99%? Let’s be transparent,” he furthered.

Under the JVA, Iloilo City is entitled to 1% to 5% of gross terminal revenues, 1% from other revenue sources, such as berthing and mall rentals, and ownership of the entire terminal after 25 years if the contract is not renewed.

Treñas also addressed criticism regarding his previous silence on the issue when he was the city’s lone district representative at the time of the JVA’s signing.

As a legislator, the city mayor stressed he had no direct role in the agreement, which was an executive decision made at the city level.

Treñas further reiterated that the City Legal Office (CLO) is handling the renegotiation, reinforcing that the issue requires a legal resolution rather than a political one.

“How can you defend that against the interests of the city? But again this is on them. There is no politics here because the issue is legal. The one holding this case is the CLO and not me,” he said.

“It cannot be resolved politically. Because it cannot be defended politically. So it’s legal,” he emphasized.

While acknowledging business tycoon Edgar “Injap” Sia II as a “good friend,” Treñas pointed out that Mabilog and lone district Rep. Julienne “JamJam” Baronda have a much closer connection with him.

Edgar “Injap” Sia II is the brother of Ferdinand J. Sia, who currently serves as the President & Director of DDPC.

The issue of the JVA dates back to March 2023, when the City Council recommended to the CLO to review the provisions and assess the compliance of parties to the JVA to determine the feasibility of renegotiating or rescinding the contract.

It was only two years later that the CLO released its final findings, identifying several JVA provisions as disadvantageous to the city government.

On February 12,  the CLO submitted a letter to DDPC’s office in Pasay City, detailing how the JVA was contracted by the Mabilog administration with “reckless disregard of the interest of the Ilonggos.”

The letter formally demanded that DDPC send authorized representatives to discuss the JVA within five days of receiving the notice.