NOTHING illustrates the idiom “strange bedfellows” more than the alleged political merger of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog, erstwhile allies of ousted Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. Treñas is running for congressman against re-electionist Raul Gonzalez Jr.; Mabilog for mayor against the elder Gonzalez.

In that case, I had wrongly guessed in this corner last week that no such merger would shape up because Jed would not allow Jerry to call the shots. At that time, Jerry was badgering Jed to “absorb” councilor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa to be his running mate for vice-mayor, but Jed would rather have his Mang Inasal co-model and councilor Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda.

But they ended up with a “Halloween” compromise – both funny and scary. Imagine the bossy Jerry telling the pliant Jed, “Okay, we’re a half-way team. Have Jam for vice-mayor. I will have my bilas Joe III.”

May I ask the mayor and the vice-mayor whether they really believe that Jamjam and Joe III are happy with the compromise that pits them against each other?

Moreover, Jerry is with the Nacionalista Party (NP) while Jed is with the Liberal Party (LP).

“Awkward,” according to one of Jed’s fellow Lions. Jed is past president of the Iloilo Host Lions Club.

I can imagine the rest of the team, their candidates for councilors, wondering whom to follow – Jed, or Jerry? They would look like a combination of rabid Purefoods and Alaska basketball players.

I can imagine them unable to trek the campaign trail together. How would Jamjam and Joe III behave on the same stage during political rallies? The audience would die laughing!

Much earlier, right after bolting the “turil ni Raul,” Jerry Treñas had said that LP vice-presidential candidate Mar Roxas had invited him to join the LP.

By ending up with the NP instead, Jed provokes us to wonder kon ano ang ginpakaon ni Manny Villar sa iya.

As one who had rooted for Jerry in the past, I wish he were not wishy-washy.

Incidentally, the last time I saw another friend and past supporter of the mayor, Undersecretary Larry Jamora – now also candidate for mayor – I asked whether it’s true that Treñas had also disappointed him. I had heard that during a plane ride together, the mayor-for-congressman had raised the possibility of an alliance.

Without elaborating, Jamora quoted Treñas as having told him, “Ma-estoryahanay ta.”

The “estoryahanay” has never happened.

●●●

This corner would like to correct the misinformation that the trees that have been uprooted on Gen. Luna, Iloilo City, to give way to another expensive but unnecessary flyover are pine trees.

According to my brother, Jesse Vego, who is provincial environment and natural resources officer (PENRO) of Negros Occidental, the uprooted trees are actually agoho, a medium-sized strain good for landscaping. If it looks like pine, it’s because its leaves are also needle-like.

The real pine trees are big and tall. They grow only in uplands with cold weather, specifically Baguio. They bear fruit called cone with teeth-like surface, which is useful as Christmas tree décor. The few pines that we have in Iloilo are at Bucari, Leon, which has become known as Little Baguio.

It’s not the agoho or pine tree that we “mourn,” however. It’s the waste of millions of pesos that will be spent for another flyover on a not-so-congested junction.

Those who will materially benefit via kickback are obviously not happy with their share over the P480-million that taxpayers spent for the first overpass on M.H. del Pilar/Infante crossroad.

We wonder why not one of the city officials have cried “foul” over this next big thing under the Tulay ng Pangulo program if they really stand to gain nothing from.

One Response to “On the bogus pine tree and the strange bedfellows named Jerry and Jed”

• 1
  Alexander Carlo Magno
  November 26th, 2009 16:44

  Lucky for them – Jery and Jed, to be called as strangebedfellows, with such as classy description.

  In the 60’s electoral arena, they could have been called
  political butterflies and /or prostitution.

  The people of Iloilo City deserve more credible leaders with
  principles and integrity.

  Jerry and Jed would like to seize further public power for
  private gains.

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