Mayors’ group: Ombudsman suit vs Treñas ‘politically motivated’

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The so-called Mayors for Good Governance group has labeled the administrative complaint filed against Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and two other city mayors as “politically motivated and intended to harass” them.

Treñas is currently facing an Ombudsman case over the redevelopment of the Iloilo Central Market, specifically the demolition of its 80-year-old art deco façade.

The complaint, filed by cultural heritage advocate and Iloilo Provincial Information and Community Affairs Office head Jose Nereo Lujan earlier in July, accuses Treñas of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming, and acts prejudicial to the interest of public service.

Treñas has previously dismissed Lujan’s charges as “politically motivated,” even questioning the affiliations of Lujan’s legal counsel.

In a statement on Wednesday, the group of local chief executives expressed their support for Treñas, along with Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto and Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, calling them “advocates for good governance and the fight against corruption.”

“The complaints filed against them in the Ombudsman provide an opportunity for the truth to come out and for their names to be cleared,” the group said.

“However, we cannot discount the possibility that these are politically motivated and intended to harass them, especially with the Filing of Candidacies for the 2025 Elections approaching,” they added.

Treñas has yet to disclose his plans for the upcoming elections. He is currently serving his second term as city mayor.

The group of local leaders also reiterated their support for the ongoing cases involving their three member-chief executives.

“As an organization promoting good governance and fighting corruption, we always value transparency and accountability. These three mayors have demonstrated and continue to embody these principles,” the group stated.

The group expressed hope for a fair investigation and decision on the cases against the three mayors.

In early August, a private citizen lodged a complaint against Sotto for graft, violations of the code of conduct for public officials, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and other infractions.

These accusations are linked to Sotto allegedly granting a 100-percent tax discount to a telecommunications company in Pasig City, despite supposed inconsistencies in its documents.

Sotto faced another graft complaint earlier this week, involving his alleged failure to distribute a one-time P1,500 cash allowance to city hall employees, opting to provide t-shirts instead.

Meanwhile, Teodoro has been accused of technical malversation for allegedly misallocating P130 million in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation funds.