WHO SAID WHAT?: Treñas Denies Tagging Mabilog a ‘Drug Protector’ But Baronda Rebuts Him

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Monday, March 31, distanced himself from the backlash following his remarks last Friday, March 28, which hinted at the resurgence of illegal drugs if former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog returns to city hall.

In a statement, Treñas denied claiming that Mabilog had been cleared of drug involvement, referencing his remarks in September where he said, “it was clarified there was no evidence whatsoever to link [Mabilog] to drug lords in Iloilo City.”

“I never said that Mr. Jed Mabilog was cleared of drug issues when he came to my office,” Treñas said.

“I said I was happy he cleared himself at the QuadCom. I already knew he was with Jamjam [Baronda] and that they were planning to run against us. But just the same, I treated him well and even gave him pancit molo, while Raisa [Treñas-Chu] prepared a birthday cake.”

Treñas said former House Speaker and current Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez told him there was mounting evidence against Mabilog.

“I even said that I went to [Alvarez] to ask for his help for him. What I did not say was the reply of then-Speaker [Alvarez]: ‘Marami ebidensiya sa kanya,’” he said.

The mayor claimed Mabilog only cleared himself through his own statement and not by any official investigation or public consensus.

Treñas reiterated that Mabilog had links to the city’s illegal drug trade.

He added that Mabilog criticized his administration’s policies, particularly the increase in real property taxes, after their meeting at city hall.

“[Mabilog] cleared himself only through his own self-serving testimony, which is not corroborated by the authorities or public opinion,” Treñas said.

“It is common knowledge that he had connections with drug lords.”

He added that Mabilog contributed to the city’s tarnished image when former President Rodrigo Duterte dubbed Iloilo as the “most shabulized city in the country.”

“Together with Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, the city councilors, department heads, and employees, we had to work doubly hard to rebuild Iloilo from that tarnished reputation into a model city,” Treñas said.

He credited the city’s current accolades to the collective work of local government departments, not to his leadership alone.

Treñas also implied that Mabilog’s presidential pardon from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in January was an admission of guilt.

The pardon lifted the 2017 administrative sanctions issued by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, including Mabilog’s dismissal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

“Mr. Mabilog claims he is innocent—but he cannot deny what people think he has done here,” Treñas said.

“The presidential pardon he received, despite two final orders of dismissal with perpetual disqualification, carries with it his admission of guilt.”

In response, Mabilog’s lawyer, Atty. Jeric Jucaban—also the 8th nominee of the Treñas-aligned Uswag Ilonggo Party-list—cited the Oct. 11, 2024, House Quad Committee hearing.

He said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo stated Mabilog was added to the Duterte administration’s “drug list” only after being mentioned by the former president in a speech.

Jucaban also cited the political asylum granted to Mabilog by the United States in 2019 under the Trump administration.

“This categorically recognized the political persecution he faced during Pres. Duterte’s administration. I again rest my case,” Jucaban said in a Facebook post.

Mabilog did not directly respond to Treñas’ statement but urged voters not to gamble the city’s future on inexperience—seemingly referring to Raisa Treñas-Chu’s mayoral bid.

“Real leadership comes from experience, a proven track record, and genuine service,” Mabilog said.

“If you truly love Iloilo, you wouldn’t risk its future—especially when you hold the city’s greatest influence.”

Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, the city’s lone district representative, did not hold back in defending her allies.

She said she was puzzled by Treñas’ reference to Alvarez and noted that PDEA Director General Lazo had already debunked the drug allegations during the October hearing.

“The issue being used against [Mabilog] was already debunked by PDEA Director-General Moro Virgilio Lazo,” Baronda said.

“Yet the mayor still cites [Alvarez’s] name, as if it outweighs the statement of the country’s top anti-drug official.”

Baronda said the public deserves leaders who focus on core issues like healthcare, education, public safety, city debt, and real property taxes.

“Personal attacks, fake news, and baseless accusations won’t help our city move forward,” she said.

“My commitment remains to work on real solutions with integrity and respect.”

She dismissed the attacks as a distraction by a “discredited individual” and his alleged “network of trolls,” though she did not name anyone.

“Iloilo has always been known for its political discernment,” she said.

“With our well-informed voters, let’s continue engaging in meaningful, respectful discussions—focusing on truth and real issues, not distractions.”

“Once again, the personal attacks against my character are being promoted by a discredited individual and his network of trolls in an attempt to distract from his own failures.”

Treñas later responded, insisting he never mentioned Mabilog by name in his Friday speech and accused Baronda of twisting the facts.

“[Baronda] is once again twisting the truth to serve her own narrative,” Treñas said.

“Instead of addressing her dismal record as a public servant, she chooses to cry foul, claiming she is the victim of personal attacks.”

“I never even mentioned Jed Mabilog by name in my speech.”

“That means [he is actually the] protector [and] financier? It was her own political allies who labeled him as such—not me.”

“Leadership is not about issuing dramatic statements or crying foul when the truth is inconvenient,” Treñas added.

“It is about real service, real results, and real commitment to the people.”

“I will not back down from speaking the truth, no matter how much it upsets those who benefited from past incompetence.”