Will Jam-Jam Reconcile with JPT?

By Herbert Vego

THE re-election of Iloilo City Congresswoman Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda appears to be very Pyrrhic, obviously because it would do no good to her political advancement in 2028. By now, the “graduating” congresswoman must have realized that, having severed her political alliance with Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, she could run against his daughter Raisa Treñas Chu, who happens to be the newly elected mayor.

To her credit, her sister Lady Grace “Love-love” Baronda won against incumbent Vice-Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.  She would therefore preside over the incoming Sangguniang Panglunsod.

Alas, however, only one of the Barondas’ allies in Team Gugma made it to the city council, Sheen Marie Mabilog.  The eleven other winners are identified with the Treñases’ Team Uswag.

Tough luck, indeed, for the three little women to bag the aspired posts. Their victory debunks the notion that femininity is synonymous with weakness.

To be realistic, however, Jam-jam – having realized that they have no strong political organization — would be in a better position to preserve their political gains by reconciling with the Treñases.

Jam knows in her heart that she could not have become congresswoman had she not tied up with JPT in the 2019 and 2022 elections.

But of course, there could also be truth to the rumor that her intention is to partner with former Mayor Jed Mabilog in 2028 – he for congressman, she for mayor. Mabilog has lived abroad for seven years, and his supporters have already encamped with the Treñases.

But then, as the saying goes, “Choose your wild.”

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ONE MORE TIME FOR SOTTO?

COMEBACKING Senator Tito Sotto appears to be very interested in regaining the post of Senate president, which he had held in 2018-19.  Abaw, nadimat?

His alibi is that at least four incumbent senators had already approached him, urging him to take the chamber’s leadership when the 20th Congress opens in July.

The 76-year-old Sotto, on his way to a historic fifth six-year term as senator, would love to unseat the incumbent Senate president, Chiz Escudero.

Traditionally, the aspirant for the position depends on the endorsement of the President of the Philippines.  Could it be applicable to Sotto? It seems so on the ground that he was one of the newly-elected senators who ran under President Marcos’ Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.

But since it’s the senators themselves who elect their leader, they could opt to differ.

Bear in mind that, this time, the Senate will have the unique chance of ruling on the impeachment complaint filed by the House of Representatives against Vice-President Sara Duterte.

While Tito ran under Marcos’ group, it is public knowledge that he is close to Sara’s, dad, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to face trial for crimes against humanity.

The impeachment case against the VP, on the other hand, stems from issues raised against her, such as her supposed failure to account for the public funds she oversaw as head of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, her alleged ill-gotten wealth, her inaction during the onslaught of a super typhoon in the Philippines, her silence during instances of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, and her supposed public threats against top officials, among others.

Since it would take two-thirds or 16 senators to convict Sara and kick her out office, her accusers fear that she already has nine who would acquit her, in effect dismissing the case.

It is said that most of the newly-elected Alyansa senators are pro-conviction. But we can’t really be sure who among them. They could cross party lines.

From the newly-elected, we can predict the five who are likely to acquit Sara, namely Bong Go, Bato dela Rosa, Rodante Marcoleta, Camille Villar and Imee Marcos.

All she needs is an easy four more from among them and the incumbents.

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50 MORE EMPOWERED EMPLOYEES

IN its five years of service as distribution utility, MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) has employed 200 hundred employees, which is impressive from its starting point of 150 pioneers.

This year, as it celebrates its five years of service, MORE Power remains consistent in its mission to transform Iloilo City’s power distribution system into a state-of-the-art infrastructure, but with the lowest electricity rates in Western Visayas.

Its expansion to Passi City and 15 municipalities of Iloilo province could no doubt increase its workforce and lower further its rates.

For President and CEO Roel Castro, the company’s achievements are deeply rooted in the unwavering commitment of these individuals.

To Castro, it’s the employees who bring the mission to life. Their dedication has led to real, measurable change: fewer power interruptions, minimized system losses, and the elimination of illegal connections.

He told them, “The other half of the story is kayo. Your work is not easy. Ulan, init, umaga, gabi, overtime, may mga problema, may trials, but you’re still here. I congratulate all of you.”