UNITY IN ILOILO CITY?: Uswag, Gugma Sulong meet halfway in top seats

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

In a surprising turn of events, Iloilo City’s major political parties, Team Uswag and Team Gugma-Sulong, agreed to leave the city’s lone district representative and mayoral seats uncontested in the 2025 midterm elections.

This political compromise was announced by Rep. Julienne Baronda, Team Gugma-Sulong’s standard bearer, and mayoral candidate Raisa Treñas-Chu of Team Uswag in a joint statement.

“The division between our two camps has caused tension, misunderstanding, and in some cases, strained relationships among families, friends, and colleagues. Where there once was harmony, we have seen the rise of discord. Where there was once cooperation, division has taken hold,” they said.

Initially rivals for the city’s congressional race, Baronda and Treñas-Chu chose to prioritize unity over competition.

The decision followed the October 3 announcement that Chu’s father, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, would not seek reelection, endorsing his daughter as his successor.

On the same day, Mayor Treñas also confirmed his alliance with Baronda, months after accusing her of betrayal following two elections as political allies.

While they agreed to leave the mayoral and congressional positions uncontested, both parties fielded candidates for vice mayor and the city council.

Baronda and Treñas-Chu filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) on October 8, the last day of filing. Unlike Team Uswag, Baronda’s party submitted their COCs through legal counsel.

Incumbent Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon will seek a final term under Treñas-Chu’s slate, along with a complete list of 12 city councilor candidates.

Former city councilor Lady Julie Grace “Love” Baronda will challenge Ganzon for the vice mayoral seat. Team Gugma-Sulong has fielded 10 councilor candidates, with Rep. Baronda seeking her final term.

“Our differences are small compared to the shared vision we have for our city’s future. We believe that through unity, we can lead this city to greater heights and ensure a better tomorrow for all,” they added.

In a separate press conference, Baronda said the decision to have uncontested seats resulted from negotiations between the two parties and their alliance.

“The leadership, especially with the alliance of parties, agreed to hold peaceful and unified midterm elections in line with the Bagong Pilipinas campaign of the current administration,” she said.

Baronda, a member of Lakas-CMD, and Treñas-Chu, from the National Unity Party, are part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration coalition, which includes Lakas-CMD, NUP, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Nacionalista Party, and Nationalist People’s Coalition.

ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, long rumored to be Baronda’s candidate for mayor, ended speculations of a political comeback after seven years of self-imposed exile.

At Baronda’s proclamation rally at the University of San Agustin gym, Mabilog announced his decision to stay out of politics.

“I am making the ultimate sacrifice for Iloilo City. I will not run for mayor of Iloilo City. I sincerely ask for forgiveness… I will stand by my word of honor,” he said.

Earlier, Mabilog had stated he was not returning to politics soon, despite calls for his comeback.

While acknowledging public support, Mabilog said unity and peace are now his priorities.

“I have seen the unfortunate consequences becoming mayor at this point could bring. The divisions and animosity created among our people jeopardize the progress we have worked so hard to achieve,” he said.

He added that he still needs time to “build a better me” and help find a mayoral candidate “who knows your every anguish, your pains, and your struggles.”

“I have to make this sacrifice to heal the divisions created by the misunderstandings that began with the March 15 incident among the city’s leaders,” he added.

Mabilog and Baronda expressed their support for Treñas-Chu’s mayoral bid, provided she addresses the alleged culture of fear and intimidation among city employees under her father.

“If what has been done is right, the group will support it. She is still young, and we saw that she has promise,” Mabilog said.