Former allies Jerry, Joe III taunt each other

THE two mayoral bets of Iloilo City, Mayor Jose Espinosa III and Rep. Jerry Treñas, have started throwing punches at each other even  before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) ended on Oct 17, 2018,

Treñas fired the first volley by calling his brother-in-law (bilas) Espinosa a “drunkard” and a mayor who has no plans for the city.

The two politicians are married to two sisters in the wealthy Sarabia clan.

“Subong ano gin-ubra niya? Kada gab-i hubog, waay sang plano sang siyudad (What is he doing now? Every night, he is drunk and he has no plans for the city),” Treñas said after filing his COC on Wednesday.

The congressman said he regrets campaigning for Espinosa when the latter first ran for vice mayor in 2010 against former councilor Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda.

Baronda is now the congressional bet of Treñas.

In 2010, Baronda was the running mate of former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog while Treñas endorsed Espinosa.

At that time, Baronda Treñas, Mabilog, and Espinosa were allies although they belonged to different parties.

Baronda lost the vice mayoral race to Espinosa who ascended as mayor almost a year ago.

Meanwhile, Espinosa laughed off the allegations saying that Treñas should relax and stop making false stories.

“Istorya pangkuris-kuris ina kag puro kabutigan. Relax siya kag maglibot-libot sa siyudad.

Tani pahuway na lang siya (He’s drawing up stories and its all lies. He should relax and go around the city. He should rest),” Espinosa added.

He added that he does not owe Treñas saying he was the one who helped the latter in 2010.

Espinosa is running under the Nacionalista Party while Treñas is the standard-bearer of the National Unity Party (NUP).

Other mayoral bets are Dr. Pacita Gonzalez, wife of the late justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr., of Lakas-CMD; Efren Gimeo of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Esteban A. Abitang of Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), Rudy Bantolo, and Carmelo Carreon.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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