‘NO THREE-ÑAS?’: Miguel cool on family trifecta in 2028

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Councilor Miguel Treñas downplayed the possibility that three members of the Treñas family, including former Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, will simultaneously seek elective posts in the 2028 elections, although political plans remain uncertain at this stage.

Miguel said it would be “difficult” if he, his father, and his sister, incumbent Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, all run for public office at the same time.

“Mayor Jerry, as of now, is just resting. He still guides us and still has a heart for public service […] It would be too much if the three of us are in public service. There is Mayor Raisa, there is me, and if Mayor Jerry is still there, it would be difficult,” Miguel said Wednesday, June 10.

Miguel said his father has not yet decided whether he will return to politics.

“As of now, he has no decision yet on what he will do,” he said.

Despite uncertainty over the family’s possible 2028 political lineup, Miguel confirmed he will run for Iloilo City’s lone congressional district seat in the next elections, validating earlier statements made by Treñas-Chu during a weekend interview.

“My decision now is to run. I will run for congressman,” he said.

Miguel said members of the Uswag Iloilo slate continue to support his planned congressional bid and that local leaders have encouraged him to seek the post.

However, he emphasized that it is still early in the election cycle and that his current priority is conducting community visits to introduce programs and projects from his office.

“This is not yet the time for elections. There is still a long way to go before the elections,” he said.

“Right now, what I am doing is bringing the initiatives of my office directly to the people… I will run for congressman, but it is not the right time for elections yet because the election is still far off,” he added.

Miguel said he remains focused on his current initiatives, stressing that final political decisions will only be made once the official election period begins.

The Treñas family has remained influential in Iloilo City politics for several years through the regional political alliance Uswag Iloilo, which has fielded candidates in both local and congressional races.

Jerry Treñas served multiple terms as Iloilo City mayor and previously represented the city’s lone district in the House of Representatives, making him one of the most enduring figures in Ilonggo politics over the past two decades.

His daughter, Raisa Treñas-Chu, assumed the mayoralty following the May 2025 elections, marking a generational transition in the family’s political leadership while Miguel holds a seat in the city council.