“Activity in politics also produces eager competition and sharp rivalry.”
--John George Nicolay
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- At this stage of their alleged altercation, there is still a chance to save the relationship between Iloilo City Rep. Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas and Mayor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III, “but it will need a Divine intervention.”
This was the assessment given by a high-ranking City Hall executive, who confirmed to this writer recently “the feud between the two is real.”
“It’s not a drama as what their critics have been trying to spread and what they wanted the people to believe,” the high-ranking City Hall executive asserted.
“In fact, some members of their families are already affected (by the alleged cold war). Some of them went as far as unfriending each other on Facebook.”
Treñas’ wife, Rosalie, is the sister of Espinosa’s wife, Gina.
Gina and Rosalie come from the affluent Sarabia clan.
They also reportedly tried to avoid each other in some public gatherings “so as not to piss off their husbands.”
Neither Rosalie nor Gina has confirmed they, too, were not on speaking terms.
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“Sang nag ligad nga PBA game (between All-Star Visayas and Gilas Pilipinas at the University of San Agustin Gym on May 27, 2018), wala sila nga duwa (Joe III and Treñas) nagsapakanay (They snubbed each other during the recent PBA game),” disclosed a former city councilor, who was in New York City for the 120th Philippine Independence Day parade on June 3.
He added: “Sadtong una OK pa sila sang nag hambal si Jerry nga ma retire na sia sa politika. Pitik sentas kibot kami mapadalagan sia kuno meyor. Pati si Joe kibot man eh. Kibot kami tanan (At first they were still OK when Jerry announced he would retire from politics. But, all of a sudden, he announced he would run for mayor. We were all shocked, including Joe).”
The mass resignation of City Hall executive assistants Melchor Tan, Abel Alejano, Boyet Rico, Irene Ong, Mitch Antiqueña and Roy Firmeza in March this year triggered the snafu, it was learned.
They were reportedly Treñas’ loyal supporters asked by Mayor Joe III’s right hand, Executive Assistant Jojo Castro, to tender their resignation if they couldn’t prioritize their City Hall tasks over their “other concerns” outside City Hall.
Among the purported “other concerns” were reportedly their attendance in the meetings called by Treñas which happened to be during office hours.
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The “sacked” executive assistants reportedly brought the matter to media, thus triggering a rancor between Treñas and his bilas (brother-in-law) when the issue became known in public.
Their supporters and some “independent” family members reportedly wanted to patch up the feud so that Joe III and Treñas can still join together in one ticket during the May 14, 2019 elections.
Treñas has announced he would run for mayor under Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and his running mate would be Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.
The slot for congressman remains open but if Joe III will decide to run for city mayor, Team Treñas will reportedly tap former National Youth Commission (NYC) Executive Director Nielex “Lex” Tupas.
If the “Divine intervention” beckons and the Treñas-Joe III fracas has been resolved, Joe III might run for congressman alongside Treñas and Ganzon.
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If things develop from bad to worse and the two political Goliaths decide to paddle their canoes on separate rivers, mayoral candidate Joe III might reportedly take in either “graduating” Councilor Joshua Alim or former Councilor Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda as candidate for House of Representatives.
“Time is not yet running out. Anything can still happen between now and during the deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy (for the 2019 elections). We are still hoping that Congressman Jerry and Mayor Joe III will finally set aside their animosity with the help of their families and closed friends; and sit down to discuss the future of Iloilo City,” the high-ranking City Hall executive pointed out.
“With their combined resources, organizations and political party, they are strong and unbeatable. If they fight, they have everything to lose and nothing to gain."
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