Why the Iron Lady decided to run in 2019

RUMORMONGERS and intrigue-sowers forced former Iloilo City councilor Perla Zulueta to throw her hat in the political arena once more after five years of relative hiatus.

Zulueta, who confirmed that she is running for the lone congressional district seat of Iloilo City, said the groundswell of support she received after reports came out that she is running also convinced her to give politics another try.

The Iron Lady of the City Council, a moniker she earned for her feisty and incisive deliberations and no-nonsense exposés against corruption, confirmed her candidacy in an interview with The Daily Guardian on Air over Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo on Sept 29, 2018.

Zulueta will run under the ticket of Mayor Jose “Joe” Espinosa III. The filing of the certificates of candidacy is on Oct 11-17.

Zulueta told TDG on Air said that she accepted the offer to run as Espinosa’s congressional bet after the mayor’s first choice, former councilor Lex Tupas declined the offer.

“I am running sa group ni Joe III. Gin-offeran nila ko and daw masarangan ko man ginbaton ko kay daw hindi man si Lex,” said Zulueta.

But aside from Tupas’ decision, Zulueta said rumors emanating from the camp of lone district Rep. Jerry Treñas that she is interested in the top post of the Iloilo City Community College (ICCC).

The ICCC was previously headed Mathilde Treñas Octavio, a cousin of Rep. Treñas, but she was relieved because of the ongoing probe into the alleged mismanagement of the college.

Zulueta said the rumors spread after Espinosa asked her to look into the issues hounding the ICCC.

Also, her handling of the ICCC’s scholarship program may have planted the seeds of rumors that she wants to run the city college.

The former councilor said that if she is interested in the ICCC helm, she could have accepted the offer of then-Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Zulueta said she hates becoming the subject of rumors and lies.

When asked about what she can offer to the city of Iloilo, Zulueta confidently answered “experience.”

“One thing nga ma-offer ko is ang akon experience, ang akon nahibaluan parte sa gobyerno paano magpalakat sa gobyerno naka-intindi ako, paano mag-participate sa isa ka legislative body. I’m not new to that. I’m no stranger to the legislative forum,” said Zulueta.

Dubbed as the “Iron Lady of the City Council,” Zulueta completed her three terms as city councilor in 2013. She also served as board member of Iloilo Province from 1988-1992.

According to Espinosa, he welcomes everyone who wants to join in their group especially those who are fit to run for the positions at stake.

“Ginatan-aw naton ang mga tawo nga mapadayaw naton man sa kongreso. Maghambal ka nga Iloilo congressman daw gina kurugan bala kay mabato gid sa debates,” said Espinosa.

Recently, Councilors Liezl Joy Zulueta-Salazar and Ed Peñaredondo already left the camp of Iloilo City lone district Rep. Jerry Treñas for Espinosa.

In addition, City Councilor RLeoni Gerochi also expressed that he is open to run for vice mayor under Espinosa’s team.

Gerard Ganzon, son of Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, is also joining Espinosa’s camp and run for city councilor.

Councilors Candice Magdalene Tupas and Mandrei Malabor are also expected to run under the mayor’s party, Nacionalista Party (NP).

For Zulueta, the camaraderie under Espinosa’s party is the main reason why many incumbent councilors are leaving the camp of Treñas.

“Things are changing a lot, damo na ang gasaylo sa pihak. Mas madamo na subong ang incumbent kay Joe because of the camaraderie and esprit de corps,” she mentioned.

Treñas and Espinosa will be facing each other for the 2019 mayoral race.

Meanwhile, Zulueta will be running against another former councilor Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda, who is with incumbent Rep. Jerry Treñas; and Councilor Joshua Ali in the group of former congresswoman Pacita Gonzalez.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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