Lawmaker’s party switch stokes reelection rumors

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo City lone district Representative Julienne Baronda’s recent switch to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has fueled speculations about her running for a third and final term, moving away from the National Unity Party (NUP), her political home since 2019.

Baronda, who took her oath before House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the president of Lakas-CMD, was among three female lawmakers to join the growing ranks of the party, alongside Reps. Ching Bernos of Abra’s lone district and Kristine Tutor of Bohol’s 3rd district.

This move has increased the party’s membership in the House of Representatives to 100, making it the dominant party in that chamber.

Reflecting on her decision, Baronda expressed pride in her accomplishments with NUP but noted her alignment with Lakas-CMD’s values.

She also said that she would “continue to work and even work harder to make each and every Ilonggo feel the [love] of [the] government,” but did not explicitly state whether she would defend her current position.

“I will always cherish the relationship formed and the experiences gained during my stay with the [NUP],” she said in a statement.

“However, as our society continues to evolve and confront new challenges, I find myself drawn to a political party whose values and principles more closely align with my own advocacies. After careful consideration, I believe that [Lakas-CMD] offers the best platform for me to effectively advocate for the issues that matter most to our city,” she added.

This development coincided with Lakas-CMD formalizing an alliance with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on Wednesday, May 8, in Pasig City.

Speculations were further stirred when Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., regional chairperson of PFP in Western Visayas, confirmed in April that Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas’ daughter, Raisa Marie Lourdes Treñas-Chu, would join the party and contest Baronda’s seat.

The political landscape in Iloilo City shows signs of a rift, highlighted by the dismissal of Rep. Baronda’s sister, former councilor Lady Julie Grace, as an executive assistant in Mayor Treñas’ office, and the removal of their father, incumbent Councilor Urminico Jr., from his committee chairmanships.

Asked for his reaction, Treñas said his daughter, who has been visible at the city hall, would still assume membership with the PFP.

He did not directly address Baronda’s jump to Lakas-CMD, but referred only to himself when the same party also allegedly did not grant him a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance in the 2010 congressional elections.

“In 2010, the ruling party [Lakas-CMD] did not give me the CONA. In 2019, I was not given by the ruling party the CONA. It’s a big help if we are with the administration party. But again, politics is the art of the possible. Also, an untimely man proposes but God disposes. Let’s just follow God in everything that we do,” the mayor said.

He successfully sought the seat now occupied by Baronda under the Nacionalista Party after Lakas-CMD backed then-incumbent Raul Gonzalez Jr. in 2010.

Treñas later switched to the Liberal Party, then to PDP-LABAN, and joined NUP in 2019. Despite his position as NUP Vice President for Special Projects, he endorsed independent candidate Leni Robredo in the 2022 elections.