No Reconciliation Yet Between Treñas, Baronda Camps

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

With less than a month before a new administration takes over, no reconciliation has taken place between the rival Treñas and Baronda families following their intense clash in the 2025 midterm elections.

Iloilo City Mayor-elect Raisa Treñas-Chu said Thursday that while internal discussions about initiating dialogue have occurred, she has not personally spoken with Vice Mayor-elect Love-Love Baronda or reelected Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda.

Raisa said she plans to reach out to the Baronda sisters as she prepares to formally assume office at noon on June 30.

She is tentatively scheduled to take her oath on June 27.

The mayor-elect stressed the importance of unity despite political differences, especially since both top city officials come from opposing camps.

“From the start, after the election, I have only emphasized one thing and that is we work closely because we only have one city and we only have one vision, and that is to bring progress to the city,” she said.

Outgoing Mayor Jerry Treñas confirmed Tuesday that their reconciliation efforts have so far been limited to official statements and public posts.

“But there was no response from the other camp. If there was, we would definitely have a follow-up. If there is no response, we don’t want to force it. Maybe they are not yet ready,” he said.

Still, Treñas expressed hope for future reconciliation, saying, “When you close the door, you open the window.”

Heart for Public Service

Raisa said her incoming administration will prioritize appointing individuals with a passion for public service.

“The top qualification is passion for service. Others are saying they want to work, but it is different if there is passion. People who have worked with me can say that I really have passion for service,” she said.

She noted that several executive assistants under her father’s administration will be retained or reassigned after a review.

“We will reassign and reshuffle our current EAs so that we can maximize how we serve the residents of the city,” she said.

Mayor Treñas said he is open to serving as political adviser to his daughter, but he will not hold any official post in City Hall under her administration.

“At the very least, what I will only accept is designation and not appointment as political adviser for Raisa,” he said.

Treñas explained he prefers a designation because he is not comfortable receiving a government salary.

Though retiring from elected office, he said he will still provide guidance, particularly on projects and programs that will carry over into the next administration.

He expressed confidence in Raisa’s leadership, describing her as capable and independent.

“Raisa turned out to be a very independent woman. She is prepared. She will need a lot of guidance in the governance sector, but she is very prepared to lead our city,” he said.

He added that her background in business is a strong asset to the city government.

Raisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, majoring in Business and Political Economics, from Assumption College in Makati.

She later obtained a Master of Business Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.