Queen of the Damned trailer MORE than one year ago – specifically on June 12, 2008 – this columnist opined that then Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez was anticipating a break-up with his Lakas allies in Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas and Vice-Mayor Jed Mabilog. That early, Raul knew that even if his son’s bill redistricting the city into two would pass the House, it would not hurdle the Senate. Hence, the possibility of Congressman Raul Gonzalez, Jr. defending his turf against the outgoing mayor.

I also wrote that the elder Gonzalez, having announced his intention to run for mayor in 2010, was anticipating battle with the ambitious Jed. No wonder he denounced Jed on cable TV over the latter’s questionable income of Canadian $250,000.00 (or almost P11 million) per month from donations channeled through Haligi Foundation. Despite that oral defamation, Jed maintained his alliance with the then powerful Department of Justice (DOJ) head.

And now that he has been kicked out of the DOJ and demoted to the consuelo-de-bobo position of presidential legal adviser, Raul has become more paranoid and has asked the barangay captains to pledge their loyalty to him and his son. For whatever its worth, for instance, the Association of Barangay Captains in Molo has passed a resolution endorsing him for mayor.

However, such a loyalty check could disappoint the old man. Jed has his own good share of loyal barangay leaders, whose number could rise amid the possibility that it could be the wife Pacita, not Raul Sr. himself, who is actually running for mayor.

Obviously as nervous as the father, the gum-chewing son has repeatedly vowed in radio-TV appearances that he would definitely run for his third term against anybody but Treñas, who had publicly vowed his loyalty to the Gonzalezes.

The father and the son know, however, that the “loyalty” of Treñas depends on the remote success of the redistricting bill. The allies of the mayor in the city council would definitely want him to run against the younger Gonzalez. After all, the mayor was once humiliated by the elder one when he said that “Jerry could not have become mayor without my support.”

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The mayor’s “sigurista” stance, according to a radio reporter, has prompted his predecessor, Mansueto Malabor, to say Jerry has “no balls.”

But look who’s talking. When ex-Mayor Malabor (then an ally of Treñas and the Gonzalezes) decided to run for congressman in 2004 against then councilor Raul Jr. despite Raul Sr.’s caution not to dare, he lost along with another candidate, former Congressman Rafael Lopez-Vito. It was a double whammy against Mansing and his son Mandrei, who unbelievably lost his re-election for councilor. (In 2001, Raul Jr. and Mandrei placed 1st and 2nd councilors, respectively.) Certain barangay officials were believed responsible for making Junior against the Malabors!

I wonder if Jerry Treñas fears a repetition of similar hanky-panky.

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The elder Raul has called the councilors identified with Mabilog “switik.”

A councilor identified with the Gonzalezes, Tony Pesina, stands to benefit from the “disloyalty” of Jed. He could be the old man’s, or Dr. Pacita’s, running mate. You see, Tony had tried to run for vice-mayor in 2007 but the elder Gonzalez held him back in favor of Jed.

Does this mean that Jerry and Jed would run together for congressman and mayor, respectively, in a single ticket? It’s still hard to tell, considering the animosity between the mayor and certain councilors identified with Mabilog. We have heard Mayor Treñas and councilor Julienne Baronda exchanging bullshits over the former’s smoking habit in violation of the anti-smoking ordinance.

Treñas would be more at home aligning with Undersecretary Larry Jamora, another mayorable. Larry has supported Jerry in past elections.

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Friends of Pavia Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta, especially our common friend Art Geroche, believe that he is really running for congressman of the 2nd District, and that his paid survey by Random Access showing him leading over Cong. Judy Syjuco is authentic.

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Hala ka Cad. That survey could work against you. I heard that Inday Judy is no longer running. Her husband Boboy is honing his rusting political weapon so he himself would stop you. Wait till I confirm this rumor.

One Response to “Gonzalez-Treñas-Mabilog trio ripe for break-up?”

• 1
  Sebio
  July 6th, 2009 20:04

  Do you ever wonder why the Philippines has not changed despite our efforts and those of the journalists?

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