Baronda, Treñas cancel each other in social media posts

“There will always be rivalry on the field. Off the field, we are friends, but on it, we have to do our job.”

— Shikhar Dhawan

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THOSE who followed the Meta or Facebook pages of political allies-turned-nemesis Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda and Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas would easily notice a striking similarity in the way they recently handled some photos taken in public gatherings where they were both present.

In group photos posted on their respective social media accounts, they deleted each other from the group but retained all other political personalities present.

Those who followed only Treñas’ social media page where the photo or photos were posted, couldn’t see Baronda, for instance, in a round table where fellow high-ranking government officials were present.

Vice versa if social media followers saw only Baronda’s account and didn’t see or follow Trenas’ account.

 

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Although this may appear hilarious others who noticed this eerie treatment of social media photos did not really find it uncanny considering the fact that they are now estranged and, in fact, potential rivals in the 2025 election.

When two partners have severed their ties, we should always expect some rib-tickling and comical scenarios. Politics has always been full of amusing synopsis and waggish entertainment. And there will be more to come as the contest heats up.   

Their rivalry and cold war might escalate into a battle for appearances in more projects, public activities and programs, and social media followers.

Meta or Facebook, Instagram, X of formerly Twitter, TikTok, Youtube, Reddit, Linkedin, Tumblr, among others social media platforms, have become part of the major propaganda campaign platforms.

Technology—the Artificial Intelligence (AI) most particularly—will definitely play a key role in the next elections worldwide.

 

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A RETIRED former manager of the of the government-run television network Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation or IBC-13 has expressed relief that finally the long-overdue retirement pay for a total of 145 former employees would be released.

But the retired former manager, who requested anonymity until after he has made sure he was qualified to receive his part, was “half happy and half sad,” he said.

“Anohon pa ang damu kon patay na ang kabayo (What use will it be for the grass if the horse is dead)?” lamented the retired former IBC manager who is now based in the United States, referring to some of his former colleagues who have already died and could no longer enjoy the retirement pay.

But he said he was ready “to give credit where credit is due” if it is true that it was President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who really pushed for the release of their retirement pay.

It was reported recently that Presidential Communications Office (PCO) chief Secretary Cheloy Garafil has confirmed that settling the retirement pay of the former IBC employees was one of the marching orders of President Marcos Jr.

Around 200 families benefited from the development, according to IBC-13 president and chief executive officer Jimmie Policarpio.

 

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(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)