JED FOR JOE III?: Espinosa seeks support of Mabilog, ex-barangay leaders

ILOILO City Mayor Jose Espinosa III delivers a message during a Pag-ulikid activity at Brgy. Democracia, Jaro, Iloilo City.

ILOILO City Mayor Jose “Joe” Espinosa III clarified that the recent gathering of former barangay captains in the city was only a “social event.”

The mayor confirmed that he gathered the former kapitans in a hotel on the evening of Sept 19.

“It was a social event,” he told the City Hall beat reporters.

Espinosa evaded from further revealing the details of the gathering, which was linked to reports that former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is supporting his bid for mayor in 2019.

In his Facebook page, Councilor Plaridel Nava claimed that Mabilog will support Espinosa when the latter faces his bilas (brother-in-law) in the 2019 mayoral race.

Nava said the Mabilog factor is also the reason why Espinosa gave them the cold shoulder when they offered an alliance with former congresswoman Pacita Gonzalez, widow of the late justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr.

The councilor said Mabilog asked Espinosa not to align with him (Nava) and Councilor Joshua Alim.

In a radio interview, Jay Victor Mabilog, assistant head of the Public Safety Transportation and Management Office (PSTMO) and a brother of the former mayor, said he was present at the gathering of former barangay captains.

Around 150-200 ex-kapitans and village leaders attended, Mabilog said.

He added that Espinosa called for the gathering to ask the help of the former officials for his mayoral bid in the 2019 elections.

It is believed that Espinosa reached out to former barangay leaders as he lacks the backing of incumbent village officials.

Rep. Jerry Treñas who is also vying for the mayoral post, earlier claimed that he got the support of majority of the 180 incumbent barangay captains.

Espinosa earlier claimed that some incumbent barangay captains are either lukewarm or arrogant in dealing with him.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian