Ilonggos don't love the underdogs?

"I like being the underdog so they don't expect what's going to happen. It pushes me to work harder and do the things I'm not doing better."
--Kawhi Leonard

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- THERE are probably more Ilonggos living in Oakland, California than in Toronto, Ontario, thus the Golden State Warriors apparently have more fans among the Ilonggo populace in both the United States and Canada compared to the Toronto Raptors.
We are supposed to be "lovers of the underdogs", but we've noticed the Ilonggos are more agog over the Warriors, the defending champions, even if the Western Conference kings have already won the NBA Finals for several times in a row and the Raptors, the Eastern Conference heroes, are chasing history and currently the darling of the basketball world.
Even in the social media, the Warriors are very much hailed and cheered especially when they averted annihilation in Game 5 on June 10 with a nerve-tingling 106-105 win.
Many Filipinos fans rooting for both teams from the US and Canada are workers in the health industry--nurses, caregivers, doctors, physical therapists--or Filipino-Americans and Filipino-Canadians who have been following the NBA games with passion and style for several years now. How exciting to read their debates and fierce discussions in the social media and in other communication platforms.
Basketball old-timers in Western Visayas, as a whole, also appear to be Warriors fans, including some politicians, local sports analysts, ordinary folks, and anchormen in leading radio stations chronicling the exciting best-of-seven finals.
May the best team win in Game 6 or Game 7, if necessary.

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The original "Ilonggo Bikoy" was reportedly spotted again in Iloilo City weeks after his politician boss lost in the mayoral elections in Metro Manila.
The "Ilonggo Bikoy" is a well-connected mystery man. He has spilled the beans on so many high-profile personalities involved in illegal drugs.
Many of these high-profile personalities linked by this original "Ilonggo Bikoy" in illegal drugs are now either have been buried six feet below the ground, or have left Western Visayas and are now hiding in Metro Manila and Mindanao.
He is a friend of a balikbayan who recently lost in a local election in Iloilo City.
He is an admirer of former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel "Boy" Mejorada, who recently hogged headlines after being arrested for cyberlibel filed by Iloilo Governor Arthur "Art" Defensor Sr.
The "Ilonggo Bikoy" is being suspected as one of those who spread the canard that former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog was involved in illegal drugs.
Former Western Visayas narcotics chief Genodepa of Guimbal, Iloilo knows this "Ilonggo Bikoy" very well.
I know him, too--also very well.

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According to Dr. Deepak Chopra, one of the causes of Ernest Hemingway's "deepest depression" was due to "Writer's Block" which could happen to any writer.
When asked to write a speech for the inaugural of President JFK, Hemingway, America's all-time best Nobel Prize in Literature winner, suffered a "Writer's Block" and could not start a sentence.
Several days later, he shot himself to death with a shotgun!

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

Drilon delivers KO blow on Joe III

"It's always hard to deal with injuries mentally, but I like to think about it as a new beginning. I can't change what happened, so the focus needs to go toward healing and coming back stronger than before."
--Carli Lloyd

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- MANY Ilonggo wisecracks were saying that the eleventh hour endorsement by Senator Frank Drilon of Rep. Geronimo "Jerry" Trenas was what broke the back of the camel for Mayor Jose "Joe III" Espinosa III's dramatic demise in the recent May 13 elections.
Drilon's surprise entry crippled Mayor Joe III, who had no giant political padrino of his own to show off and match Drilon's invincibility.
Former mayor Mansueto "Mansing" Malabor, whose son, reelectionist councilor Mandrie ran under Mayor Joe III's ticket, was too feeble to go all-out to campaign for the Espinosa clan's last great hope.
The major players in the past local elections also were no longer around to add spice to the classic duel: Roding Ganzon, Raul Gonzalez, Sr.
To his last blood, orphaned Mayor Joe III had to rely on his own diminishing political stock and personal charisma in a desperate bid to avert a catastrophic ending to no avail.

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HEALING politics is the antithesis of destructive politics.
While destructive politics seeks to oppose, confuse, divide, destroy, conquer and rule, healing politics seeks to forgive and forget, unite for a common cause, educate, promote, mobilize, restructure, create, inspire, build, and cooperate.
Destructive politics specializes in a plethora of dirty tricks, sinister and below-the-belt onslaught, mudslinging without any regard to subtlety and decorum.
Healing politics, on the other hand, expedites the shutting down of "black holes" and animosity whipped up by a murky and intense political rivalry to pave the way for a new beginning and for both parties to move on to the next level.
We have seen destructive politics in its ugliest face and deadliest form, and the mayhem it has caused on certain politicians and their families in the most recent elections in the Philippines.


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It is the kind of politics waged by voodoo and traditional politicians; sometimes they are those who are already in power but want to cling to power like leeches and will resort to all kinds of dirty tricks to stymie and put away their rivals.
Some of them are those who want to ascend to power with a crystal-clear intent of building a political dynasty and, once already there, shore up and expand the dynasty so that they will never be toppled from the totem pole while transforming the public office as their private fiefdom.
Political power or the search for political power stimulates chaos.
From the chaos rises a dynasty that will perpetuate the divisiveness and bedlam and so on and so forth..
What we would like to happen and see is the dawn of healing politics so that the political units (city, province, congressional districts) ruined by so much political antagonism and hatred can scale up to a higher dimension and wash away the debris of destructive and toxic politics.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Trenas' tears better than a repeat of Burr vs Hamilton duel

"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend."
--Thomas Jefferson

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- THERE have been bitter political rivalries in the past like the Trenas-Joe III rift that worsened and turned violent. Ilonggos were glad the outgoing congressman managed to shed only tears after his conquest of the sitting city mayor and no bloodshed attended one of Iloilo City's most divisive and mucky political conflicts in recent memory.
In fact, one of the reasons why the political feud between former US vice president Aaron Burr and US founding father Alexander Hamilton ended in a duel that killed Hamilton in 1804, was vicious politics.
It was actually the irate Burr, running mate of 1796 presidential election candidate Thomas Jefferson, who challenged the brilliant Hamilton.
Hamilton, who campaigned for John Adams of the Federalist Party, had been exposed as the author of a "black propaganda" article that appeared in the Gazette against Jefferson of the Republican Party.

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The article was written by Phocion, a pseudo name who turned out to be Hamilton, one of the era's most respected and brilliant federalist leaders.
It exposed Jefferson as allegedly having an affair with one of his female slaves. Phocion also accused Jefferson of running away from British troops during the Revolution.
Not to be outwitted, Jefferson's folks also had been using their own strong campaign tactics against Adams, who was accused of being overweight and given the nickname "His Rotundity."
Adams had been called also as a "hermaphrodite"; Jefferson, on the other hand, had been accused of wanting to promote prostitution, incest and adultery.
Jefferson's defeat to Adams didn't sit well with Burr.
And the rest was history.

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Iloilo City mayor-elect Geronimo "Jerry" Trenas pointed to "viciousness" apparently as the reason why he wasn't yet ready to extend a hand of reconciliation to his rivals, Mayor Jose "Joe III" Espinosa III and Dr. Pacita Gonzalez.
The tearful Trenas considered the May 13, 2019 elections to be "the most vicious" in all his past electoral combats.
The attacks against him, including his family, were allegedly "vicious and personal" capped by name-calling and insults.
One of his family members had been allegedly called as "agi" (homosexual).
In his rage, Trenas never mentioned Mayor Joe III and Dr. Gonzalez, his two closest rivals whom he routed by as much as 60,000 votes, but Trenas was obviously more resentful at his brother-in-law, Mayor Joe III.

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Ilonggos knew how they and their supporters tore each other apart during the campaign period; how some family ties had been ruptured; and how much hurt and how deep was the animosity each side had to absorb and endure these past six weeks.
But nobody expected Trenas to eke out a big margin and to lead his Team Uswag in hammering out a swashbuckling sweep in the races for the city's lone congressional district (won by former city councilor Julienne "Jam-Jam" Baronda), vice mayor (won by the incumbent Jeffrey Ganzon), including the majority seats in the city council.
Some Ilonggos are saying reconciliation may not be coming any day from now, but if both camps will allow the healing process to take its course, "time will definitely heal the wounds."
After all they all come from one family.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Don’t join the debate with a Dracula face

“Those who cannot understand how to put their thoughts on ice should not enter into the heat of debate.”
--Friedrich Nietzsche

By Alex P. Vidal

WHEN Rosa “Tita” Caram was appointed by President Cory Aquino as OIC mayor in Iloilo City after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, she became known as the “Cinderella surrounded by the seven dwarfs.”
One of the “dwarfs”, who became a village chief when Caram was no longer in city hall, had suggested to extend the route of the Dinagyang parade to the Fort San Pedro area.
Caram, wife of the late former Assemblyman Fermin “Nene” Caram nixed, the “crazy” idea.
When Mayor Caram learned that former senator Rodolfo “Roding” Ganzon, arch enemy of her husband, had been released from jail and helped campaign for the deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ reelection bid in the snap election, she was reportedly worried.
Fire-spewing Ganzon was rumored to be interested to run again for city mayor, and the news was a nightmare for Mayor Caram.
She bade goodbye to politics for good.

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I covered the City Hall beat in 1989 when Ganzon became the city mayor.
He told reporters in jest, “Nahadlok si Tita Caram mag debate sa akon kayman gin isyuhan ako sang una ni Nene (Caram) nga putyong kuno ako. Ginpamangkot ko sia ngaa nga nabal an mo nga putyong ako? Gin pamangkot mo si Tita haw?”
Mayor Ganzon brought the house down.
One of the last remaining “dwarfs” (he really had a small frame and was already a department chief), who died during the administration of Mayor Mansueto Malabor in the 90s, told me “Mayor Caram was so nervous to debate with Mayor Ganzon (if ever they will face in the election)” thus she quit politics.

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IT is during the political debates where the voters, especially the undecided, will have the opportunity to peruse the character, personality, and intelligence of the candidates running in the elections.
It is during the political debates where candidates with no prior or with insufficient media exposure will have the chance to prove their mettle without the assistance of any public relations (PR) expert; they will be on their own and they will advertise their own fortitude and capability as aspirants for a public office without the help of any prepared script.
A candidate participating in a public discourse can’t be rescued by the best PR consultant once he falters and scrambles with facts and figures.
Thus they need to be impressive; they need to look good physically, as well.
Even their body language and facial expressions must be guided accordingly with aplomb and collectedness.
Rule No. 1 actually is: Don’t join in the political debates if you are mad, or if your blood sugar is tottering.

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The pre-debate checklist should include mental and emotional conditions, not just the cloths, hairstyle and make-up.
If you’re not in good mood, skip the debate immediately. No ifs. No buts. No second thoughts.
If your mood is on alert status and you engage a rival in a heated exchange of words before a huge audience that will last for an hour or two, it will have a catastrophic effect on your nerves; you will have no idea you appallingly look and act like Dracula.
Dracula has a poker face.
He owns one of the most untrustworthy faces in the known physical world.
The name evokes hostility and antagonism.
In fact, his aura has been dismissed with a dauntless disdain, fear, and scorn by any standard and imagination.
Don’t be a Darcula on stage.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Why Sara won’t play a loaded dice in Iloilo

“I am a teacher. It's how I define myself. A good teacher isn't someone who gives the answers out to their kids but is understanding of needs and challenges and gives tools to help other people succeed. That's the way I see myself, so whatever it is that I will do eventually after politics, it'll have to do a lot with teaching.”
--Justin Trudeau

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- ALTHOUGH she has publicly raised the hand of Iloilo City mayor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III, presidential daughter Sara Duterte apparently is also “rooting” for Espinosa’s rival, Iloilo City lone district Rep. Geronimo “Jerry” Trenas, in the May local elections.
As a rumored presidential timber in 2022, the mayor of Davao City can’t afford to play a loaded dice in Iloilo City politics.
“Wooing” certain political characters or “showing moral support” to their candidacy is a political gambit that has been played up even by some of the famous politicians in antiquity.
Antagonizing one party and embracing another is tantamount to a political suicide for any candidate running for a national office in the future.
Thus Mayor Duterte only probably wanted to please not only both Espinosa and Trenas, but also their political supporters and sponsors, when she recently lent them her aroma.
Her gestures should not be interpreted with finality every time she is seen hobnobbing with local candidates anywhere in the Philippines.
Whoever wins between Espinosa and Trenas will definitely be an asset in her presidential campaign three years from now.
Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Mayor Duterte’s infant but fast-expanding political party, will surely invite or recruit more local chief executives -- governors and mayors -- after the May elections.
The party will go for the winners, not the losers.
Victory, after all, has many fathers; defeat is an orphan.

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Those who don’t believe that Mayor Duterte will not run for the Philippines’ highest office should start to wake up.
Mayor Duterte did not organize the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which made many PDP-Laban stalwarts insecure and nervous, for nothing.
Her body language, as well as the body language of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, speaks louder these past months; her regular activities and nationwide trips were loaded with interpretations that tilt on a strong possibility she will be running for president.
She probably believes she and her father can do in the Philippines what they did in Davao City: becoming the first father and daughter to reign as city mayor; this time, they might shoot to become the second father and daughter in Philippine history to occupy Malacanang’s highest seat after Presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Gloria Arroyo, who is now the House speaker.
Although President Duterte has not admitted it-- and will most likely not admit it, no father will stand in the way if he thinks there is a big chance her daughter will succeed him as president.

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Many drug lords with links in the Filipino-Chinese community who were active in the previous elections in the Philippines either as financiers or candidates themselves are expected to either shy away or maintain a low profile role in the coming elections
They can’t afford to make a noise or display their fangs even if they claim to have solid ties with some powerful officials in government, police, and the military.
They are aware of President Duterte’s standing order for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to “make life difficult” for these drug lords once they are spotted or arrested.
The threats of violence or even death hangs over their heads like a Sword of Damocles; and if they make one fatal false move, they will be decimated; and their cases will be buried in the statistics of those “killed for resisting police arrest.”
Haven’t we noticed that most of them have surreptitiously “disappeared” and nowhere to be found or heard these past years since President Duterte assumed power?
If they weren’t yet buried six feet below the ground or allowed to escape to China, they are just probably “on standby” for the bigger battle in 2022: the presidential derby.
Only fools can’t read between the lines.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Dr. Pacita Gonzalez's real liabilities

"Animals have come to mean so much in our lives. We live in a fragmented and disconnected culture. Politics are ugly, religion is struggling, technology is stressful, and the economy is unfortunate. What's one thing that we have in our lives that we can depend on? A dog or a cat loving us unconditionally, every day, very faithfully."--Jon Katz

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- Iloilo City mayoral candidate Pacita Gonzalez's real liabilities are not the "disloyal" barangay leaders who were willing to support her estranged partymates, Councilors Joshua Alim and Plaridel Nava, but adamant to go all out for her.
They are the members of the "hutik-hutik brigada" or "whisper brigade" who have no expertise and background in political planning and organization, but were giving her false hopes and feeding her with unrealistic expectations.
Some of these cretins probably had popped out from Dr. Pacita's social circles where she had been constantly showered with dazzling and bewitching perorations and adulation meant to massage her ego and otherwise.
As to their motives, we can only speculate.
The power of beso-beso.

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In the first place, who convinced Dr. Gonzalez--or who gave her the silly idea she could handily beat frontrunning candidates, Mayor Jose "Joe III" Espinosa III and Rep. Geronimo "Jerry" Trenas in a three-cornered (with due respect to other candidates) fight in the May elections?
Who duped her into believing that President Rodrigo R. Duterte might endorse her candidacy over the two "former allies of (former mayor) Jed Patrick Mabilog"?
Who brainwashed Dr. Gonzalez that majority of the political leaders in the metropolis' 180 barangays who "benefited a lot" from her late husband, former justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. when the latter was still the congressman in Iloilo City's lone district in the late 90's, are still intact and "will never turn their back as a token of their appreciation to the late Gonzalez patriarch's past benevolence"?

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Who mesmerized her that because both Trenas and Espinosa are magbilas or brothers-in-law, their political feud will boomerang against them and benefit the third party candidate?
That because of the break-up, some confused and disappointed supporters of both Trenas and Espinosa III would shift to other candidates.
Who assured her that if she would tandem with the two incumbent city councilors (and form the AlGoNa triumvirate), the love affair will end up in the altar and last 'till eternity?
For sure, Dr. Pacita swallowed all the sweet talks and umbrageous warranty from the braggarts she thought were the best political salespersons and analysts in the world hook, line, and sinker.
Thus she decided to run for city mayor (against the wishes of her son, former Iloilo City Rep. Raul "Jun" Gonzalez Jr?).

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As to the barangay political leaders, it's a waste of time and energy to impeach their characters.
Even if they used to be the late secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr's most loyal and rabid supporters, the object of their political admiration and love is no longer around, or is not anymore the candidate.
Times have changed; people--including their loyalties and alliances--change, too.
Many of them have already turned as "Judases" to the Gonzalez family as manifested by the late secretary Gonzalez's shocking defeat to Mabilog in the 2010 mayoral contest.
And once they were no longer in power (son Raul Jr. was also dethroned by Trenas for the city's lone congressional district), most of those barangay political leaders have already jumped ship and embraced the new emperor.
The Gonzalezes have lost them a long time ago--or three elections ago.
You can't kick out those who are already in the other political fence.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies)

Where the hell is Raul Jr?

"The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best."

--Epictetus

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- It looks like the widow of the late justice secretary Raul M. Gonzalez Sr. will have to comb Iloilo City's 180 barangays alone by her lonesome self to woo the Ilonggos' votes when the campaign for the local positions in the May Philippine elections officially begins.
This will only happen if Dr. Pacita Gonzalez can't iron out the kinks with her running mates, Councilors Joshua Alim and Plaridel Nava, on time with barely two weeks before the campaign sorties hit fever-pitch.
They have been known as the triumvirate of AlGoNa: Alim for congressman in the city's lone district; Gonzalez for city mayor; and Nava for vice mayor.
Eight candidates are running for city council under their opposition ticket.

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AlGoNa reportedly suffered an ugly dent recently when Alim and Nava rejected Dr. Gonzalez's order to kick out barangay leaders who appeared to have cast their lot only for Alim and Nava but not Dr. Gonzalez.
Most of these barangay leaders apparently have already committed to support either Mayor Jose "Joe III" Espinosa III or Rep. Geronimo "Jerry" Trenas, who are both Dr. Gonzalez's rivals.
Dr. Gold, daughter of Dr. Gonzalez, probably sensed something unusual with the way the barangay leaders behaved when they faced them, and during background checks; she didn't want her mother to look like a carpetbagger and a fool.
The daughter Gonzalez was aware her mom was willing to shell out the campaign kitty's biggest chunk for the entire bets in the team, thus they wanted to make sure they were investing for the right barangay leaders, not spies and "double croppers".
In a tit for a tat, Nava also probably didn't like the way Dr. Gold's thinking was trying to influence her mom's decision-making.
Nava scored Dr. Gold's "paranoia" and "political immaturity."
He and Alim refused to abandon the barangay leaders during the "crucial" moment.

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Dr. Gonzalez has lagged behind in the most recent "surveys" even before the purported split with Alim and Nava occurred.
But it seemed like Dr. Gonzalez's fate was sealed from the very start.
Before she announced her candidacy and agreed to tandem with the two lawyers third quarter in 2018, Espinosa and Trenas have already secured in the bag the commitment of most barangay leaders.
The tug-of-war and backdoor maneuvering started before and after the barangay elections two years earlier.
In other words, most barangay leaders may have already been "well taken care of" by both Espinosa and Trenas and, most likely, left nothing for Dr. Gonzalez but the crumbs if not the spoils.
Alim and Nava must've managed to "squeeze in" and secured the commitment of other barangay leaders because they have been in the league for quite some time; as incumbent councilors they have built-in bulwarks.

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And the most telling, and, perhaps, the deafening hiss and gnawing bewilderment in the campaign conversation that has not been openly blurted out is, where the hell is former Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. amid all this hullabaloo?
Their mommy Pacita's campaign management has been wounded in the capillaries, and Raul Jr. has not surfaced to help stop the hemorrhage.
Instead, it seems he allowed inexperienced and neophyte sister Gold to take the driver's seat in a rough ride he alone, based in his experience as a former congressman, has the capability and expertise to tackle.
Is it possible that before any internal wrangling had swept through the AlGoNa bandwagon, a more catastrophic internal rift was already boiling within the Gonzalez family over the matriarch's insistence to join in the May elections?

Segovia's resignation is right

"I think my resignation was the only way to avoid bloodshed."
--Eduard Shevardnadze

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- After her much-publicized quarrel with Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas recently, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) vice president Marissa Segovia made the right decision to tender her "irrevocable" resignation.
They may say she was only carried by her emotions and made the decision to quit "on the spur of the moment" being a woman.
But it's difficult to fix a glass that has been cracked especially if the tiff was tainted with a political undertone.
Treñas reportedly lashed at the businesswoman during a meeting of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation on Feb. 14, blaming her for not inviting him to the Dinagyang Festival last month.
Treñas and Segovia are not strangers to each other.
They were good friends.
And also their respective families.
They worked together not only to achieve IDFI goals and commitment to public when Treñas was city mayor from 2001 to 2010, but also to help buttress the good standing of the Iloilo Business Club (IBC) in the Ilonggo community where Segovia was also an executive.

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Segovia decided to quit from the IDFI but did not issue any statement to the media ostensibly after "being humiliated" by the congressman's alleged unexpected verbal assault.
If not for politics, there would have been no "heated" confrontation that hurt Segovia and forced her to call it a day.
If not for politics, no one would have raised a whimper that he was left out in the proper protocol for an important event.
Politics smeared their friendship.
Treñas is running again for city mayor versus Mayor Jose "Joe III" Espinosa III, Segovia's other friend, in the May 2019 elections.
If Treñas will win, Segovia will be in a very uncomfortable situation running the affairs of the foundation with her "tormentor" at the helm.
And if Treñas will use his power and influence to scrutinize or audit IDFI's financial records, she will have to belabor painstakingly even if they weren't hiding something.
The mental and emotional stress may not be necessary and good for Segovia, who is highly respected in the business community.

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Meanwhile, no one has owned up to the snafu especially as to why Treñas was not officially invited.
What ensued next was finger-pointing and offensive justifications from IDFI president Ramon Cua Locsin, who made all the explanation--not particularly in defense of Segovia--but to inform the public they were running the foundation well and shouldn't be held accountable for sidestepping some VIPs during the occasion, stressing that the responsibility had already been delegated to the city mayor.
Locsin made a lengthy elucidation like he himself was involved in the fracas.
In a statement distributed to media, Locsin stressed: “We believe that we have discharged our duties fairly and judiciously for the successful conduct of the Dinagyang Festival, and we hope that this will end the controversy raised by those whose self-interest could trivialize the achievements of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival and IDFI.”
He added: “IDFI has always acted with good faith in dealing with all partners of the festival. This is a major factor for the high trust rating of the public in IDFI. This is also the basis of Ms. Segovia’s statement during one of her interviews that Cong. Treñas was invited in the festivities. The City Mayor was also consistent in his interviews that everyone was welcome.”

Mayor Joe III changes his mind

“The art of communication is the language of leadership.”
--James Humes

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- Because most of them were preoccupied and concerned more with their reelection and political ambitions in the May 2019 elections, some Iloilo City aldermen opted to play deaf and blind when the raging furor over the unpopular renaming by Mayor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III of the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand to “Iloilo Dinagyang Grandstand” hogged headlines since last week.
When they could not perform their role as members of the local legislature to scrutinize and help correct certain misdemeanors in the executive branch, we, in the mass media, filled the vacuum of check and balance.
We were the ones who consistently and passionately pressed the wake up call that the act of renaming the historic grandstand wasn’t only unpopular but downright unpalatable if not smeared with moral and legal issues.
For being reluctant to chide the mayor--or at least tell him he was wrong--the city aldermen probably did not want to look like villains in the mayor’s eyes especially that there is a strong indication Joe III will remain as city mayor for the next four years.
Their implied recalcitrance on the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand brouhaha gave Ilonggos the uncanny impression that as long as they are in power, Mayor Joe III will get what he wants and they won’t stand his way to disappoint him.

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We are glad though that Mayor Joe III responded to the media criticism positively.
He immediately doused cold water to the conflagration by announcing that the name “Dinagyang Grandstand” wasn’t for keeps, acknowledging that the decision to rename any public structure needs the imprimatur of the local legislative body as a co-equal branch in government.
Contrary to what his political enemies have been trying to portray him, Mayor Joe III wasn’t insensitive afterall.
After all is said and done, we are confident Mayor Joe III will no longer pursue that loathed edict on the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
Councilor Joshua Alim has hinted that he would push for the retention of the word “freedom” even as the Iloilo City Council has yet to formally tackle the issue and help assuage the frazzled emotions of members of the so-called Timawa party or the Ganzon loyalists (Ganzonistas), who vowed to campaign against Mayor Joe III if he did not change his mind.
The Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, built in the 1950s to commemorate Republic Act 1209 or the “Iloilo City Freedom Law” authored and sponsored by the late former senator and mayor Rodolfo “Roding” Ganzon, was the Ganzon loyalists’ only living legacy and memory of their beloved hero, Roding Ganzon.

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Like in the cases of other policemen linked in illegal drugs, President Duterte offered no solid evidence when he shamed and fired last Saturday Bacolod City police chief, Senior Supt. Francisco Ebreo, and four others: Supt. Nasruddin Tayuan, Supt. Richie Makilan Yatar, Senior Insp. Victor Paulino and Senior Supt. Allan Rubi Macapagal.
Even after meeting the embattled police officials in Malacanang last Tuesday, the President reiterated his displeasure and disgust and lambasted them anew for being allegedly protectors of illegal drugs or personalities engaged in illegal drugs directly and indirectly.
Some of them could be innocent -- unless their accusers can produce solid evidence and file formal charges against them in court.
No less than Chief Supt. John Bulalaco, Regional Police Office 6 (RPO-6) director, has confirmed Ebreo was not on the watch list of those linked in illegal drugs.
We can’t question the President’s intelligence network; he must have the valid reason when he went ballistic against the Bacolod cops.
We learned, however, that the other reason why cops earned Mr. Duterte’s ire after some incumbent elected officials in Bacolod City had alleged that the cops escorted Councilor Ricardo “Cano” Tan and his wife who were ambushed by unknown assailants in December 13, 2018 in Talisay City.
The Tan couple just came from their property in Talisay City, the Campuestohan Highland Resort, when they were waylaid on their way to Bacolod City.
They survived.
Tan has been named by Duterte as alleged drug trafficker.
Tan, a sportsman, is also at odds with Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia politically.
Leonardia is an ally of Mr. Duterte.

‘Jed and I are winners,’ says Marivic Mabilog

“Part of being a winner is knowing when enough is enough. Sometimes you have to give up the fight and walk away, and move on to something that's more productive.”
--Donald Trump

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- Even before Mrs. Victoria “Marivic” Griengo-Mabilog declared on her Facebook account on October 17, 2018 that “we have not and will not be endorsing any candidate for mayor in the City of Iloilo” in the Philippines, I already had an inkling about it as early as in May 2018 or five months ago.
I didn’t want to push the cart ahead of the horse and to be mistaken as a merchant of a cock and bull story, so I waited until after all the candidates for the city mayor have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC); and, more importantly, after Mrs. Mabilog herself has let the cat out of the bag.
And the wife of former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, no longer mealy-mouthed on election matters, has doused cold water on expectations for any endorsement from the camps of incumbent Mayor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III of Nacionalista Party (NP) and Iloilo City lone district Rep. Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas of the National Unity Party (NUP).

-o0o-

The furor about a possible endorsement from the self-exiled former city mayor Mabilog isn’t actually something that’s batting on a sticky wicket in as far as the feuding brothers-in-law--Joe III and Jerry--is concerned.
Espinosa and Treñas, in the first place, are only accidental adversaries.
If President Duterte didn’t harass Mabilog, who was forced to fly the coop for security reasons, the three of them would be facing the opposition under one bandwagon marching together against the Team Dr. Pacita Gonzalez in the May 2019 polls.
I got this “first-hand” information that the Mabilog family won’t choose between the two leading mayoral candidates when I reported, quoting sources, in May that Joe III and Mabilog “might meet” in New York City during the Philippine Independence Day parade on June 4, 2018.
Mrs. Mabilog denied this.

-o0o-

“He (Jed) said No, he does not have any plans of going to New York nor has he spoken to anybody about going to New York,” Mrs. Mabilog told me in a message.
Mrs. Mabilog wasn’t lurking around when she informed me she and her husband are “winners.”
She wrote to me in May 2018: “I am grateful of this episode sa life namon. Some may find it tragic but if we think about it, we are winners in every aspect: The kids have their Dad 24/7, quality time, all the time. Win.
“I have the old Jed back, funny, caring, sans the glitter of the power he used to have. Win.
“Jed goes to Church everyday, regained a deeper faith. Win. Jed does not have to pander to the devil, Duterte, to remain alive and in power. Win.
“I having said that, I truly believe that it was a Divine Intervention that brought us out of the Philippines.”

She admitted that "I am speaking from my heart and that puts me in trouble most of the time."

-o0o-

This was Mrs. Mabilog’s Facebook declaration on October 17, 2018: “There had been too many claims of purported endorsements for several local candidates in the City of Iloilo. Categorically and under our current circumstances, we have not and will not be endorsing any candidate for mayor in the City of Iloilo. We will continue to pray that the good people of Iloilo City will once again, seek in prayer, for an enlightened decision on who is best to lead our beloved city.
“Several good friends had been trying to get our endorsements for either Jerry or Joe. Both are good friends of Jed, but I have my personal take on the two of them too. Jed Patrick E. Mabilog may disagree with me, as he usually does anyway, but I’ll have to say my piece.
“When Jed was under siege from the president, Jerry and Joe knew that Jed was wrongly and unjustly accused and crucified. As someone who is not too adept on the nuances of politics, I was aghast and personally offended of their silence and inability to come to his aid. One friend explained to me that Jerry and Joe also feared that the president may turn his guns on them, hence, their silence and non-involvement. That’s a reasonable fear. I was ok with that. But this was not what I was not ok with: neither one of them bothered to reach out and personally assured Jed that they are one with him in this fight and will work and pray with him so that truth and justice will prevail. Their deafening silence, and nonchalant attitude when Duterte issued a death warrant against Jed by his plan of deploying Jovy Espenido to Iloilo was both painful, offensive and disgusting. Their silence and apparent lack of empathy speak volumes about their character, particularly the advancement of their own personal interests. This was how I felt through my heart.
“Putting my brain to work and using some objectivity, I cannot side with either one because I have not personally witnessed any of them in action as mayors. During Jerry’s full 9-year term, I was in Canada and now on Joe’s more than a year tenure, we are on exile. I leave it to the intelligent voters of Iloilo City to determine whom of the two can best serve the city.
“These are some of my personal reasons why I cannot allow our family to endorse neither candidate. With or without our endorsement, one candidate will win, anyway. In the next three years, Iloilo City will survive well under Jerry or Joe. The City and the people are resilient and are least concerned with the power play at the Mayor’s Office inside the City Hall. The more important issue in my opinion is how the legislative branch can be a major partner in ensuring good governance.
“For this reason, I will be campaigning for the victory of RLeone Boots Gerochi as Vice-Mayor. He has the intellectual acuity, the moral strength, integrity, honesty, determination, fortitude, independence, love for his city, professionalism and dedication to his vocation that none of his opponents have, or at best, very little. I dream that one day, in the future, the likes of him will take up bigger leadership roles in the City.
"Good luck, Iloilo City and may God Bless everyone. Iloilo City. My City My Pride. I am Filipino and Proud to be an Ilonggo.”

Giving up is never a choice

“It's so important to realize that every time you get upset, it drains your emotional energy. Losing your cool makes you tired. Getting angry a lot messes with your health.”
--Joyce Meyer

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- The excuse that “nabutang kami sa tunga ” (we are caught in the middle of things) won’t hold water in politics.
Some friends of the Defensor, Biron, Garin, Tupas, Zulueta, Espinosa, Treñas, Gerochi, Nava, Ganzon, Alim, among other big political families, claim they can’t decide which political group or candidates to support “because they are all our friends; they are all close to us; they are all good.”
Baloney.
Choose the lesser evil.
Anyway, they’re not all Lucifer’s relatives--and they aren’t all angels, as well.
Once we start to peel off the onions, we can separate the chaffs from the grains; we can identify the charlatans from the real epitomes of public service.
In the “Divine Comedy”, Dante warned that “the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality.”

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Now that several politicians have started filing their certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 2019 general elections in the Philippines, speculations about who will face certain candidates in the top and lower positions are also starting to unravel.
Because most local candidates move around and will campaign in close-knit communities, expect many friendships and relationships by affinity and consanguinity to shatter.
It’s a barefaced reality in Philippine politics that not all our friends--bosom or acquaintance--will vote for us.
It’s not even an assurance that a seatmate or a high school sweetheart will automatically vote for us.
It’s been tested and proven that some candidates can’t even collect all the votes in a family; a sister or a brother--or even the parents--would horrifically vote for another candidates.
Politics has always been the No. 1 destroyer of camaraderie, kinship, and fraternal ties.
Our advice to candidates: keep your cool.

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When a friend or a relative gives our candidacy a cold shoulder treatment, don’t retaliate by aggression; don’t be vindictive.
Don’t use the social media to confront someone about past affairs or favors we gave them.
It won’t help deodorize our public image if we resort to “kiss and tell” tactic and sour-grape like a waif.
As much as possible, avoid the words “I thought you are my friend”,”Your true color has surfaced now that I need you most”, etcetera.
It’s a kid’s rant.
Don’t be a cry baby if somebody disapproves our candidacy and supports, of all people, our rivals. Painful but life goes on; let's move on.
Life is an ocean of mystery. 

-o0o-

We can’t pocket all the balls in the billiards table; we can’t win everything.
Somewhere along the way, relationships turn sour; “utang na loob” or debt of gratitude diminishes and forgotten easily during moments of tests and challenges. 
Jesus lost Judas when the Lord needed him most; Caesar lost Brutus; Bonifacio lost Aguinaldo; and Marcos lost Ramos and Enrile, to name only a few.
When we are in the pigsty, don’t expect a fellow pig to kiss our lips.

Politics has always been a dirty, nasty, and heart-rending game.
If we can’t take the heat, let’s immediately get out the kitchen.

-o0o-

Strong people are given much trials and heartaches because it is believed that they can overcome such pain.
That they are brave. 
But sometimes we get so tired that we just want to scream and give up.
When that certain time comes that we can no longer walk on our own, God helps us carry our pain.
For as long as God is here, giving up is never a choice.

City Council's game of musical chairs

“Diversity: the art of thinking independently together.”
--Malcolm Forbes

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- The recent game of musical chairs in the Iloilo City Council, where several councilors allied with Mayor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III lost major committee chairmanships, shouldn’t be considered as an earth-shaking event.
With the advent of election campaign for the May 2019 polls, the discord among Iloilo City aldermen was but natural, and, to some extent, necessary.
When two elephants are feuding their underlings will have to take sides and call for arms.
It’s a Hobson’s Choice.
When the art of political survival is at play, no one is allowed to remain as kibitzers.
This is how democracy works.
It will also dispel the widespread belief or misconception that the City Council is a rubber stamp.
When there’s insurrection in the house, that means freedom of expression and freedom of choice are alive and kicking.
Warring factions indicate diverse viewpoints on various issues, orientations, sentiments, advocacy, and affiliations.

-o0o-

Whoever will argue that the stripping of important committee chairmanships from key political personalities, otherwise known as “reorganization”, wasn’t tainted with politics, tell him straight in the eyes “it’s baloney.”
Of course politics was heavily involved and the entire brouhaha had prior notices, or at least knowledge, from the major political players.
When someone insists Rep. Jerry P. Treñas and Mayor Joe III had no hand, or had nothing to do with the recent scrimmage in the City Council, let’s retort “tell it to the marines!”
In relinquishing the dimpled positions of majority floor leader and assistant majority floor leader, respectively, Councilors Eduardo Peñaredondo and R Leoni Gerochi should have nothing to worry about.
Elections are seven months away.
When election time comes, people will remember (and will decide whether to vote for them anew based on) their deeds and contributions that helped benefit their constituents, not whether they were ousted or given additional committee chairmanships.

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THE REAL McCOY. Although frequently associated with Darwinism, the phrase "survival of the fittest" was coined by Herbert Spencer, an English sociologist.
It is the process by which organisms that are less well-adapted to their environment tend to perish and better-adapted organisms tend to survive.
In political combat, only those who are fit mentally and emotionally will survive.
Onion-skinned characters aspiring for public office can never survive if they win, for they will self-destruct when members of the press, the Fourth Estate, will start to scrutunize them and they begin to feel uncomfortable and, as a result, plant animosity toward the critical press deep inside their hearts.
The press and characters in public office should work hand in hand for the nation building, not as adversaries and mortal enemies.

-o0o-

INCREDIBLE, AWFUL. There are more bacteria and other harmful microorganisms in the kitchen than in the toilet room, according to health authorities.

-o0o-

LET’S BE WARY. A child who was sexually and emotionally abused will develop eating disorders like bulimia, minus the countervailing purging behavior, and compulsive overeating, according to David M. Dunkley, a psychiatric researcher and clinical psychologist at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal.

Joshua Alim, a modern day Julius Caesar

“Cowards die many times before their actual deaths.”
--Julius Caesar

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- “I have crossed the Rubicon…it’s congressman for 2019. Ilonggos, I will fight for you.”
Thus was the Caesarean declaration made by Councilor Joshua Alim in his Facebook account on October 8, 2018.
By using Rubicon, a shallow river in northeastern Italy south of Ravenna, as the focal point of his battle cry, Alim has imitated Julius Caesar’s crossing of the stream in 49 B.C. which was tantamount to a declaration of war against Rome as represented by Pompey and the Senate.
The historic importance of this event gave rise to the phrase "crossing the Rubicon" for a step which definitely commits a person to a given course of action.
Now that Alim, a lawyer and law instructor, has “crossed” the river, he must decisively defeat Pompey to complete the heroic saga.
Alim will tangle against his former colleagues in the city council, Dr. Perla Zulueta and Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda, in the shootout for Iloilo City’s lone congressional district in May 2019.
Two “Pompeys” backed by two powerhouse establishments: the Treñas Cavalry and the Joe III Squadron.
Alim’s incursion is buttressed by the combined Gonzalez and Ynion Armada.

-o0o-

The real Caesar and real Pompey fought to the bitter end at Pharsalus on August 9, 48 B.C.
Pompey had 48,000 infantry, 7,000 horses; Caesar had 22,000 and 1,000.
“Some few of the noblest Romans,” says Plutarch, “standing as spectators outside the battle…could not but reflect to what a pass private ambition had brought the Empire…The whole flower and strength of the same city, meeting here in collision with itself, offered plain proof how blind and mad a thing human nature is when passion is aroused.”
In Caesar and Christ: The Story of Civilization, Will Durant narrated: “Near relatives, even brothers, fought in the opposite armies. Caesar bade his men spare all Romans who should surrender; as to the young aristocrat Marcus Brutus, he said, they were to capture him without injuring him, or, if this proved impossible, they were to let him escape.”
The Pompeians were overwhelmed by superior leadership, training, and morale: 15,000 of them were killed or wounded, 20,000 surrendered, the remainder fled.
Pompey tore the insignia of command from his clothing and took flight like the rest.
Cesar tells us that he lost but 200 men--which cast doubt upon all his books.

-o0o-

Caesar’s army was amused to see the tents of the defeated so elegantly adorned, and their tables laden with the feast that was to celebrate their victory.
Caesar ate Pompey’s supper in Pompey’s tent.
Pompey rode all night to Larissa, thence to the sea, and took ship to Alexandria.
At Mytilene, where his wife joined him, the citizens wished him to stay; he refused courteously, and advised them to submit to the conqueror without fear, for, he said, “Caesar was a man of great goodness and clemency.”
Brutus also escaped to Larissa, but there he dallied and wrote to Caesar.
The victor expressed joy on hearing that he was safe, readily forgave him, and at his request forgave Cassius.

-o0o-

To the nations of the East, which--controlled by the upper classes--had supported Pompey, he was likewise lenient.
He distributed Pompey’s hoards of grain among the starving population of Greece, and to the Athenians asking pardon he replied with a smile of reproof: “How often will the glory of your ancestors save you from self-destruction?”
When Pompey hoped to resume the battle versus Caesar (with the news army and resources of Egypt, and the forces that Cato, Labienus, and Metellus Scipio were organizing at Utica), he was murdered while his wife looked on in helpless terror from the ship in which they had come, by servants of Pothinus, eunich vizer of Ptolemy XII, as he reached Alexanderia, in expectation of reward from Caesar.
When Caesar arrived, Pothinus’ men presented him with Pompey’s severed head.
Caesar turned away and wept.
By riding on the epic of the “crossing in the Rubicon” which bears a striking semblance of his struggle in Iloilo City politics, will Atty. Joshua Alim weep like Julius Caesar and loudly declare “Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered)” after the May 2019 elections?

Ilonggos must bring back the Gonzalezes

“I can assure you, public service is a stimulating, proud and lively enterprise. It is not just a way of life, it is a way to live fully.”
--Lee H. Hamilton

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- It’s not good for the memory of the late former Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez Sr. that nobody from his offspring is being considered by leading political parties today for a higher elective position in the May 2019 elections.
Although the official filing of the certificates of candidacy (COC) for all candidates in next year’s polls hasn’t commenced yet, the Ilonggos have yet to hear some major political parties or groups of political impresarios cajoling or endorsing a Gonzalez daughter, son, or his wife, Dr. Pacita, to run either for city mayor, vice mayor or House representative.
Since Gonzalez Sr., a true-blue Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwart, absorbed a heart-rending defeat to neophyte Jed Patrick Mabilog for city mayor on May 10, 2010 and his son, Rep. Raul Jr., relinquishing his post to Jerry Treñas in the May 10, 2010 elections, the effervescent Gonzalez clan hasn’t won a major election in Iloilo City in the Philippines.
Does anybody, from among those who have reaped favors in whatever means from the Gonzalez patriarch, still care?

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Dr. Pacita and their daughter, Dr. Marigold, tried their luck in the succeeding elections but were both pulverized one after another by the same rising political stars who pummeled the Gonzalez patriarch in the previous elections.
They were aware how much Justice Secretary loved the Ilonggos the reason why they have bandied about time and again the decision to resurrect the good Gonzalez father’s patriotic duty.
Clan members normally “preserved” the political memories and continue the legacies of their fathers by securing higher elective positions thereafter, when the patriarchs have retired or died.
But how can they do that if they are not elected, or if they perpetually lose in the regular elections?
If the Ilonggos think they have something to pay back for the late Justice Gonzalez as an “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude) for his lofty public service, they must support and elect a Gonzalez family member in the May 2019 elections.

-o0o-

I have covered several reports about “bomb threats” in Western Visayas and other parts of the country in the past.
None of them was authentic, so far.
The threats, delivered via phone calls in colleges and universities or even in the Hall of Justice, are normally done by pranksters and those with hanky panky motives.
They don’t normally come from serious terrorists, jihadists or extremist groups with intention to create confusion and mayhem.
If a recalcitrant student is in trouble in the dean’s office or is being investigated for an internal misdemeanor, he or she may resort to a phony bomb threat to divert the issue and delay the imminent disciplinary action to be meted against that student.
Or, in the case of the Hall of Justice, the prank call is normally masterminded by relatives or supporters of accused in criminal cases with intention to delay the trial or to scare prosecutors and witnesses. 
Whatever the idiots can't get, they avenge by making hoax bomb threats.
Just the same.
Over the years, bogus bomb threats make school authorities and judges postpone the day’s important activities and suspend classes and trials.

Don’t control your SK

“Leadership is not about the next election, it's about the next generation.”
--Simon Sinek

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- Despite some nasty accusations against the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), I still believe that it is the best source of future leaders in the Philippines.
SK leaders who allowed themselves to be swallowed by the system of graft and corruption may have weak values and lousy parenting, but majority are still being guided even by a modicum of decency and honesty.
There are outstanding legislators, governors, mayors, cabinet secretaries and members of the judiciary who once served as SK chairs.
Many of these successful former SK chairs didn’t allow the glitter of money and gold to destroy the bright future waiting for them when they are in the big league.
When they were serving their fellow youths in the local legislative offices, they didn’t enrich themselves; they refused to follow the footsteps of their corrupt adult counterparts even if access to public funds wasn't toilsome.

-o0o-

When adult politicians “invest” heavily on SK leaders it is because they believe in their capacity to lead and govern; many of these adult politicians hanker for the SK leaders’ loyalty and adulation.
Adult politicians will move heaven and earth to gain the SK leaders’ trust and confidence. The earlier for this to happen in their term the better.
Like village chiefs, these SK leaders have wide and big followers in the barangays that they represent.
In other words, they can bring in voters for the adult politicians through sheer influence and leadership come election period.
They have strong and convincing powers over their parents and their friends’ and followers’ parents to swing allegiance for certain adult politicians when push comes to shove.

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Adult politicians with ulterior motives will start to apply arm-twisting tactics and influence some unsuspecting SK leaders during the infant stage of their incumbency.
Once they are able to win the loyalty and admiration of these young leaders, the latter will become a potent force in the adult politicians’ political arsenal.
That’s why it is best for SK leaders to stay away from the malevolent clutches of some adult politicians and wrestle for their independence.
They shouldn’t allow these adult politicians to pull their strings; they shouldn’t let these adult politicians to strike fear in their hearts.
They should always think and remember that they owe their positions to their fellow SK leaders, not from manipulative adult politicians.
They are “old enough” to discern what is manipulation and what is a genuine cooperation vis-a-vis their adult superiors in public service.

-o0o-

The recent move of Iloilo City Mayor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III to appoint defeated Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation presidential bet Marie Antoinette Gallos as Executive Assistant for Youth and Sports should not be viewed as an attempt to send a curt message to SK federation president Leila Luntao, who sits as an ex-officio member of the City Council.
It was not Gallos’ fault if she has Espinosa’s trust and confidence to promote the mayor’s programs and advocacy for the youths.
For reason she alone can explain, Luntao has not made a courtesy call to Espinosa since her election on May 29, 2018.
Some Ilonggos suspect that Luntao is a protege of Iloilo City lone district Rep. Geronimo “Jerry” P. Treñas and her alleged refusal to make a courtesy call to Espinosa may have something to do with her purported fear of being chastised by Treñas who had openly picked Luntao over her rivals during the SK federation election.
In fairness to Luntao, an intelligent and independent-minded young leader according to her supporters, she won the election because of her merits and qualifications, not because Treñas wanted to use her as a political tool when the graduating congressman seeks the mayoral post in May 2019.

  

Will a Rosalie Treñas-Joe III tandem solve the skirmish?

“The most practical kind of politics is the politics of decency.”

 --Theodore Roosevelt

 By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- Iloilo City Mayor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III has refused to blink in the mind game versus his brother-in-law, Iloilo City lone district Rep. Jerry P. Treñas (PDP-Laban), and has finally let the cat out of the bag: Joe III is running for mayor on May 14, 2019.

This will pit Mayor Joe III against Treñas, reputed to be the new de facto political king of Iloilo City, the tag previously held by the late former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr.

Mayor Joe III’s decision has dashed to pieces all hopes of a potent Treñas-Espinosa family express train versus “the rest of the world”--meaning all the combined and throbbing political forces in Iloilo City wishing to eviscerate the “elite” political Treñas and Espinosa clans from the metropolis’ political map.

But wait a minute.

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Except for a “Divine intervention” as we mentioned here in the previous columns that includes an attempt to tap Mrs. Rosalie Treñas as candidate for congresswoman in a line-up with Mayor Joe III and Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.

This would mean Rep. Treñas “sacrificing” for his wife and canceling his bid to run for mayor if only to preserve their political family and wrest total control of Iloilo City’s political supremacy for the two hugely politically superior clans.

If Madame Rosalie, sister of Mayor Joe III’s wife, First Lady Gina, won’t run, there is no other “Divine intervention” that can be bruited about to salvage the irritating and frustrating falling-out of the two clans which developed when there was no clear and present threat from other political forces.

Rep. Treñas himself was still hoping that Mayor Joe III would change his heart and mind and run for congressman in order not to divide their formidable slate.

But recent developments showd Mayor Joe III was now willing to crosss the Rubicon river and risk being “eliminated” from the political landscape in the event he loses against Treñas in the battle for City Hall in 2019.

-o0o-

Mayor Joe III believes he has gained the momentum by virtue of his having governed as city mayor without any hitch and obstacle, so far, since October 2017 when the Ombudsman ousted Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

In Mayor Joe III’s mind, there is no heavy negative issue to be thrown his way in the event his feud with Treñas goes full blast especially during the chaotic campaign period.

Only the entry of Madame Rosalie will change the entire picture for the time being.

As the saying goes, in every problem there is a solution.

'Kap' Ray Rico’s shocking defeat

“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.”
--Arnold H. Glasow

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- The reason why I am writing about the shocking defeat of my friend, Punong Barangay Ray “Toto Ray” Gadong Rico of PHHC Block 22, Mandurriao, Iloilo City in the recent Philippine barangay elections, is because I feel what he feels.
It’s because he’s not supposed to lose, in the first place.
With his satisfying and impressive record in making his village great, Kap Ray is a big loss.
He is not a tamad (lazy) or a pabaya (negligent) leader who deserves the boot.
Kap Ray’s heart has always been for the barangay; he has always been a proud servant to residents of a peaceful village known for their civic and religious involvement, educational attainment and high level of professionalism.
I know that Kap Ray and his younger brother, Boyet, also my dear friend and a former punong barangay (village chief) himself who once served as Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s executive adviser for community affairs, are not on speaking terms.
But I didn’t know that Kap Boyet reportedly “did not campaign” for Kap Ray.

-o0o-

Did Kap Boyet campaign for Kap Ray’s tormentor, newly elected Kap Biboy Dolar?
I am not a resident of Brgy. PHHC Block 22, Mandurriao, thus I have no business to begrudge newly elected Kap Biboy Dolar’s win.
I heard he is also a gentleman and a good leader like Kap Ray. If only that barangay can elect two chiefs.
While I feel a deep sense of empathy for Kap Ray, I respect Kap Boyet’s choice and decision.
Also well-loved in their barangay and one of the most trusted advisers of Rep. Jerry P. Treñas, Kap Boyet may have his own reason for “not supporting” Kap Ray.
Kap Ray has been arguably one of the most diligent and productive village chiefs in Iloilo City; he is, in fact, a potential ex-officio member of the city council representing the Liga ng mga Barangay (with due respect to Councilor Kap Reyland Hervias).
Since day one of his ascension as punong barangay, Kap Ray has literally placed Brgy. PHHC Block 22 on the map with his incredible projects that include road widening, beautification and sports programs, community library, among other head-turning infrastructure projects.

-o0o-

Kap Ray’s unwavering love for the youth is manifested by the consistent mushrooming of reading materials, toys, appliances and other useful items in their day care center, parroting the famous adage of his late father, the great Ilonggo leader, Atty. Kiddy Rico: “Buas damlang sang pamatan-on, aton talupangdon” (We must recognize and prioritize what is good and essential for the future of the young generation).
Under his leadership, Brgy. PHHC Block 22 became known as among those with most active and relentless Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).
Kap Ray gave priority to sports program and development “because that is the easiest way to save the youths from illegal drugs,” he once sighed.
I would like to share to Kap Ray one of the most popular quotes from Winston Churchill about success and failure: “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
For sure, Kap Ray’s recent election debacle did not snatch away the enthusiasm and spirit to serve, which he has been cultivating deep in his heart. After one failure, Kap Ray will surely bounce back.

'Only a Divine intervention can save Joe III-Treñas relationship’

“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.

-o0o-

“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."