ARE WE SEEING an end to the political alliance of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr? That seems unbelievable as of today. How could that be when the latter’s son, Iloilo City Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr., had filed a bill dividing the city into two districts? The true motive is obvious: to enable the outgoing mayor to also run for congressman without running against the re-electionist incumbent.

However, the possibility of the bill passing into law is not so clear even on the assumption that each of the two districts would pass the minimum population requirement of 250,000. The ruling opposition in the Senate might frown on such a political trick and simply sit on it.

So where’s the mayor going from here? We don’t see him returning to private life. It’s either flight or fight for congressman in 2010 against Raul Jr.

Readers will remember that in the last week of November 2007, this columnist raised the possibility of MWSS Administrator Lorenzo “Larry” Jamora running for mayor, if only to prevent the Gonzalezes from establishing city dynasty. It is no secret that Jamora had raised campaign funds for Treñas in the 2001, 2004 and 2007 elections.

Well, just last Sunday, Larry Jamora indeed announced on radio his intention to run for mayor. Earlier, the older Gonzalez had also announced his intention to be next mayor. It’s a cinch that Treñas would align himself with Jamora, in effect clashing head-on against Cong. Raul Jr. Otherwise, the baby-faced mayor would surely go the way of ex-ally and former Mayor Mansing Malabor – a political has-been.

Meanwhile, another Gonzalez ally in the person of Vice-Mayor Jed Mabilog, who had thought all along that he would be the “anointed mayorable” in 2010, could turn “baboy” in case Mayor Jerry aligns himself with Larry. Unwilling to remain vice-mayor, he just might mount a three-cornered fight against Larry and Raul Sr.

Strange Lakas party mates…

***

Ilonggo singer Nelson del Castillo, whose only claim to national fame is his original song If, may yet amass big money as a result of an American musician’s indiscretion.

His lawyer, our good friend Zafiro “Boy” Lauron, intends to file a civil claim of US $10-million against Jim Brickman for piracy. Brickman has won a Grammy award for the instrumental entry Hope. Minus the title and lyrics, it is a hundred percent lifted from If.

Brickman must have panicked because, after Lauron had written him about the piracy, he apologized to Del Castillo for the “honest mistake” and sent a $10,000 check along with the letter. That’s equivalent to P400,000, barya in American standard. Del Castillo returned the check and demanded $10 million.

I don’t personally know Nelson. But I can sympathize with his plight, having worked with the music recording industry in the 1970s.

You see, I was with the media bureau of Wonderland Records when the song Bakit, recorded by Imelda Papin, skyrocketed to the number one position in the top 10 charts. The 45 rpms carried the name of radio broadcaster John Manalili as song composer.

As a result, a lady named Gloria Pereyra approached Wonderland producer Alice Cabahug. Introducing herself as ex-girlfriend of Manalili, Pereyra said she was the real composer of the song and eventually went to court to seek payment for damages.

Gloria did not win her case in court. But somebody else, a Japanese music producer named Hirohide Yanai, approached me to set him an appointment with Gloria Pereyra. Without much ado, he made a deal with Pereyra to produce the Japanese version of Bakit in Japan.

The P15,000 payment (a good amount in 1978) did not really make Gloria Pereyra rich, but she had certainly won poetic justice.

***

It’s a paradox that so-called cause-oriented Ilonggos perpetually hit oil companies for periodically raising prices and at the same time condemn the forthcoming establishment of the first coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City. In effect, these people help the oil companies grow further. As long as we patronize oil, so long will the oil cartel maximize their greed.

They are probably not aware that the Organization of Oil-Producing Countries (OPEC) is the major financier of Greenpeace, the leading oppositor of coal shift. OPEC is afraid that with more and more countries now relying on clean-coal technology than on diesel to run their power plants, its happy days would come to an end.

Right now, the big three – Petron, Caltex and Shell – claim they still have to raise prices by another three pesos per liter, representing under-recovery. The government does nothing but earn more VAT with each oil-price increase. Suwapang!

2 Responses to “Treñas vs. Gonzalez, Jamora vs. Gonzalez in 2010?”

• 1
  Francis Magno
  March 16th, 2008 03:15

  As always Mr. Vego is on target on all events that affectt the city of Iloilo and its environs. This house bill filed by Cong. Jun Gonzales, to add further to his insightful analysis is just plain and simple
  gerrymandering!

  It is purely based on the population-ratio of 250,000 that can constitute a district to be created. However, if this criterion alone as the sole basis, as it appears, it will simply serve as an avenue
  to assure the re-election of Jun come 2010, and to to cynics, to perpetuate the Gonzales in local politics.

  The brewing demand and mass action nation-wide of Lozada’s
  speaking engagement in colleges and universities in major cities, will ripened into the radicalization or militancy of the
  student sectors, freligious groups, and community based-organizations calling for revamp of the cabinet by President Gloria Arroyo.

  If Secretary Gonzales will not not be lucky enough among the magic numbers composing the cabinet, it is a big loss, to the
  city’s clout in the inner chambers of power in Malacanang.

  This bill is a pre-emptive strike towards the plate for Jun. This
  young and able congressman will have his plate full if he is leave alone. Looks like he is aiming towards educating himself in
  classical education of politics with emphasis towards the acclimation of exemplary service for the people of Iloilo. Vague?
  It is. He is still young, but his hands will assume the responsibility when the hands of our ellders would have become old tired and weak. The most that we can do is give him a chance. Support him.

  As to the second district to be created covering Arevalo, Iloilo City Proper, and Molo, is fitted to accommodate the retiring
  baby-face mayor Jerry Trenas. The Trenas Clan is surely to rermain with uis for good. He is a progressive leader. Bipartisan
  in terms of decision making, but decisive like a lion when provoked, but not a combative type as we have long witnessed during the era of the Father of Iloilo City, Mayor Rodolfo Ganzon,
  the Espinosa and the Carams.

  However, 2010 is still a little bit far. There are still inchoate events that can turn the tide against Jun and Jerry. The mere
  fact that they are identified with the admistration beset of so many alleged scandalous transactions,is a barometer to watch
  whether the people of the nobe city of iloilo shall be an active
  participant in the emerging political revolution in our country. One that is legal and peaceful, but though coercive, it will challenge
  the voters to resolve once and for all: To rally with Lozada’s cry for change and clean up the government as corrupt-free and
  actively oarticipate as catalysts or agents of change and voting
  anti-administration candidates, or shall remain victims of corrupt-ridden political system of patronage and dehumanizes the expansion of their human freedom .
• 2
  Francis Magno
  March 16th, 2008 03:20

  Herbert,

  Keep up the noble job for our people. You have a place in
  our hearts.

  SBK PROFESSIONAL GROUP

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