ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jerry Treñas is poised to file cyber libel charges against Nereo Lujan, a former journalist and the information chief of the Iloilo provincial government.
LUJAN and Treñas. (Lujan FB)
“Enough is enough. I am a lawyer who practiced for 19 years before becoming a mayor. I want the legal system to tell me if Nereo Lujan, a provincial official, has the legal right to cyber-provoke, bully, harass, or ridicule me or my family year-round,” said Treñas in a statement released on Tuesday, April 30.
Late Monday night, April 29, Treñas announced he was thinking of filing cyber libel charges against Lujan and did not back down even when the provincial official issued a statement with an apology.
“This person has believed that his public official position has given him additional rights. I will continue with my legal actions,” added Treñas.
Treñas’ administration has been criticized for allowing the total demolition of the Central Market, one of the two public-owned markets being redeveloped by SM Prime Holdings Inc.
Lujan, who has a big following on Facebook, questioned the legality of the demolition as Central Market is a heritage structure.
He criticized the Treñas administration for various issues including traffic management, the bike lanes, and the sub-standard Ungka Flyover and shared memes of the purported entry of the mayor’s daughter Raisa into local politics.
Treñas argued that public officials such as Lujan has no business in criticizing his administration.
The Iloilo City mayor has verbally attacked public officials and private persons since he regained the mayoral seat in 2019.
At the height of the pandemic, Treñas slammed Cabinet officials, including Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr.
Treñas criticized Bacolod City Mayor Abelardo “Albee” Benitez and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and cussed and berated city government chiefs, government agency regional directors, and even key business leaders.
Some of his verbal tirades have been streamed online on his official Facebook page.