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Friday, September 12, 2003
Treņas flares up, hits back at critics
By Ronilo Ladrido Pamonag
ILOILO City Mayor Jerry Treņas lost his cool Thursday at his critics, whom he did not identify.
Reacting to a reporter's comment that there are those who criticize the mayor for his handling of the year-old Pavia housing controversy, he quickly retorted, "If they want, they can negotiate. You know, it's easy to say, it's easy to complain. Who's that person? Tell it to me and we will let that person do the negotiating."
He expressed that he tolerates criticisms against him, "but some are just too much to bear."
Being neck-deep in criticism is an understatement, he said.
"You know, when it comes to this level, it has come to a point where you can no longer breathe," he expressed while pointing to his nose.
Firing back at his critics, he said, "You know, the others are just happy grandstanding, saying 'this should be done,'well, they should wait until they become the mayor so that they can do what it is they want."
When asked if who is making things hard in the housing issue, he answered, "The one making comments every now and then is the one making things hard. It's not productive. While we are doing everything so that (the housing controversy) can be given solution, there are those who portray themselves as heroes by giving interviews, coming out with a press release saying 'the mayor should do this, should do that.' Well, they should wait for their chance to be the mayor because they know a lot."
The mayor refused to name who he is referring to, saying instead, "you know who I'm referring to."
"Anyway, elections are nearing," he cited.
Treņas justified opting for negotiations with housing contractor Ace Builders and Enterprises, saying that this is the fastest way to deal an end to the controversy.
"You will just have grandsons and grandaughters, but the case will not be over yet," he told a reporter, commenting about how long a court case will drag.
Since the controversy erupted August last year with the allegations of substandard materials being used in the P125 million project, the City Council has passed five resolutions calling for the rescission of the contract and the takeover of the project.
All these were authored by Councilor Vicente Gengos Jr.
(September 12, 2003 issue)
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