MAYOR Jerry P. Treñas is requesting all city constituents to pray for the health of former president Corazon Aquino and said his own political career started with the Cory "magic" in 1986.

The former president, touted as the person who restored democracy in the country after taking over from the late president Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, is in serious health condition due to colon cancer.

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Treñas said that he was appointed acting city councilor by Aquino in 1986 and became an elected councilor in 1987. But before that, he was active in the Coryvan Movement in Iloilo City and led in the protest rallies and other actions against the Marcos dictatorship.

"President Cory really started my political career here, and her values and principles I still carry in my heart. My family and I are joining the country's prayer and the rest of Iloilo City residents for her recovery," Treñas said.

The city mayor is finishing his third and final term as the city chief executive in 2010. He said he hasn't decided if he'll seek for other government position and may announce his political decision before the end of this year. (Lydia C. Pendon)