‘Builders, not barriers’: In Iloilo City, pols choose ‘unity’ over face-off

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Now they’re allies, now they’re not, and now they’re allies again.

Two of the major political parties in this city — Team Uswag and Team Gugma-Sulong — have agreed not to challenge each other for the positions of the lone district representative and mayor, avoiding what would have been major face-offs.

The compromise was jointly announced by reelectionist Iloilo City Representative Julienne Baronda of Team Gugma-Sulong and mayoral aspirant Raisa Treñas-Chu of Team Uswag, daughter of outgoing Mayor Jerry Treñas, on October 8, at the last day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC).

Mayor Treñas initially endorsed his daughter for congresswoman against Baronda, his ally in two consecutive elections. 

“As your leaders, we understand that we are called not to sow division, but to foster unity. Our responsibility is to be builders of bridges, not barriers. It is clear to us now that our city’s progress and prosperity depend on togetherness, and we cannot allow differences to tear apart the very fabric of our city,” the joint statement read. 

On October 3, the city mayor, currently serving a second term, declared not running for the midterm elections due to health reasons, hence the reason for her daughter to succeed him. 

If elected, this will be Raisa’s first foray into politics. Her only related experience in governance is serving as her father’s executive assistant since 2021.

Limited terms for unity 

The unity between the parties also have terms and conditions, with both slates allowed to field their own candidates for vice mayor and city councilor. 

Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, on the Treñas-Chu’s slate, is seeking his final term. He will be challenged by former city councilor Lady Julie Grace “Love” Baronda, the congresswoman’s sister.

Both slates have also put forward their candidates for the 12 city council seats, with Team Uswag fielding a full slate and Team Gugma Sulong with 10 candidates. 

The two parties submitted their COCs on the afternoon of the last day of the filing period. Team Uswag personally submitted theirs at the Commission on Elections, while Team Gugma Sulong’s COCs were filed by their legal representatives as they held their proclamation rally. 

Mabilog’s ‘ultimate sacrifice’ 

Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who has openly supported the campaign of Baronda, was initially rumored as the congresswoman’s potential candidate for mayor. 

This speculation grew after Mabilog returned to the country on September 10 after his seven years of self-imposed exile abroad and made public appearances in Baronda’s events. 

However, during Team Gugma Sulong’s rally, Mabilog officially announced that he would not run for mayor in the midterm elections.

“I am making the ultimate sacrifice for Iloilo City. I will not run for mayor of Iloilo City. I sincerely ask for forgiveness…. I will stand by my word of honor,” he said. 

In September, Mabilog already announced that he was not returning to politics anytime soon, but left room for reconsideration, depending on “divine intervention.”

At the rally,  Mabilog stressed that while he was raring to go back to politics, running for mayor amid the current political landscape would just bring more harm than good. 

“I have seen the unfortunate consequences [of running for] mayor at this point could bring. The divisions and animosity created among our people jeopardize the progress we have worked so hard to achieve,” he said. 

The former mayor said he would run “not at the cost of our people’s and city’s peace and stability,” noting that he still needed to rebuild himself after being away for seven years. 

National coalition behind unity

In a press conference, Baronda explained that the decision to form a unity ticket was strongly influenced by their political parties. 

Baronda, a member of Lakas-CMD, and Treñas-Chu, from the National Unity Party (NUP), are part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration coalition, the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.

The coalition unites key political parties, namely Lakas, NUP, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Nacionalista Party, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition. 

“The government or the leadership, especially with the alliance of parties, agreed for a harmonious, peaceful, and unified midterm elections to push the Bagong Pilipinas campaign of the current administration,” she said. – Rappler.com

Rjay Zuriaga Castor is a 2024 Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow. He is a reporter for The Daily Guardian, an Iloilo-based newspaper.