Reelectionists battle for city’s top posts

THE electoral fight in Iloilo City is primarily between reelectionist officials. Such is true with three of the highest positions – Lone District Representative, Mayor and Vice Mayor - on a one-on-one battle.

With desired aliases allowed to be used in the ballots, the May 2013 elections will see action from “Jun,” “Jerry,” Jed,” “Joe III,” and “Jeff” in the top seats. The sole non-“J” is businessman Rommel Ynion who went by his nickname/alias “Mel.”

Said data as culled from the official list obtained from the Regional Office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) identifying the candidates as follow:

For Congress is former Representative Raul “Jun” Gonzalez Jr. against reelectionist Representative Jerry Trenas.

For Mayor, it is reelectionist Mayor Jed Patrick “Jed” Mabilog against businessman Rommel “Mel” Ynion.

For Vice Mayor, it is reelectionist Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III against outgoing Councilor Jeffrey “Jeff” Ganzon.

The Iloilo City Council with 12 seats up for grabs has a total of 31 candidates, nine of whom are incumbents.

Interestingly enough, the candidates for councilor have neophytes in the political arena but are family members of graduating city officials.

As such, expect to hear numerous platforms of government from two candidates better known as “Kap” as in the case of former Barangay Captain Maria Irene “Kap Irene” Dee Ong. The other “Kap” is reelectionist Councilor Lyndon “Kap” Acap.

Among the challengers are Jose “Suga” Allen, Eddie Marie “Toto Ed Aksyon Dayon” Banez and Alan “Mr. Trabaho” Zaldivar.

Meantime, seeking new mandates with Acap are Rodel Fullon Agado, Joshua Alim, R Leone Gerochi, Jason Gonzalez, David Jamora, Plaridel Nava II, Nielez Tupas and Edward Yee.

Newbies yet related to incumbent and former public officials include Lady Julie “Love Jam” Baronda, Jose Maria “Nene” Dela Llana, Gerald Ganzon, Marigold Gonzalez, Mandrie Malabor, Jose Efrain Trenas, Bryant Ian and Liezl Joy Zulueta.

“Love Jam” is the sister of former Councilor Jamjam and daughter of City Health Officer Dr. Urminico Baronda. “Nene” is the grandson of former Vice Mayor Guillermo Dela Llana. “Gerald” is the son of Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon. “Marigold” is the daughter of former Justice Secretary and Representative Raul and Pacita Gonzalez.

“Mandrie” is the son of former Mayor Mansueto Malabor. Jose Efrain Trenas is the nephew of Representative Trenas while Bryant is the nephew and Liezl the daughter of Nene and Councilor Perla Zulueta.

Seeking a comeback are former councilors Armand Parcon and Eduardo Penaredondo along with Malabor.

Similar comeback bid for Carmelo “Mel” Carreon, not as a former official but as a perennial candidate of Iloilo City.

Other candidates for councilor include Rex “Rex Bibo” Carton, Pascual “Juni” Espinosa, Deo Antonio “Ding” Llamas, Rafael “Sitsoy” Palmares, Romeo “Roming” Rosales and Dwight Trasadas.

Election Officer for Iloilo City is lawyer Reinier Layson.