Six city councilors take oath with NP today

SIX incumbent city councilors who joined the camp of Mayor Jose “Joe” Espinosa III will take their oath with the Nacionalista Party (NP) today, Oct 3, 2018.

Five councilors – Eduardo “Ed” Peñaredondo, Liezl Joy Zulueta-Salazar, Lyndon Acap, Candice-Magdalene Tupas, and Mandrei Malabor – are joining Espinosa’s city council slate for the May 2019 elections.

Councilor R Leoni Gerochi is Espinosa’s bet for vice mayor.

The six council members were once allies of Iloilo City lone district Rep. Jerry Treñas who is running against Espinosa in 2019.

In an interview on Tuesday, Peñaredondo said they will be joined by Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu and Assistant Department Head JV Mabilog, who are part of Espinosa’s lineup.

Perla Zulueta, the mother of Councilor Salazar, is Espinosa’s congressional bet.

Senator Cynthia Villar will administer the oath of the new NP members.

“There is no fun fare for the oath-taking except that we will go to Manila and see Senator Villar,” Peñaredondo said.

Espinosa’s lineup for councilor is still incomplete. But in a previous interview, the mayor said he is still considering if he will field a complete slate or not.

He said he expects more allies to join his camp.

“Bal-an niyo naman si Joe III, halos puros ta amigo. Ti subong nakit-an na nila. Kag ang mga amigo naton ga-amat-amat na guluwa,” he said.

Peñaredondo recognized that their camp is outnumbered compared to Treñas’ group. The congressman previously claimed he has the support of the majority of barangay captains in the city.

“Congressman Treñas has more leaders. But I think we are gaining ground. One thing is for sure, the people will not vote straight. They will select,” he said.

The remaining incumbent councilors who are in Treñas’ group are his nephew Jay Treñas, Lady Julie Grace Baronda, Armand Parcon, Ely Estante, Irene Ong, and Leila Luntao.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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