ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jerry Treñas here is facing backlash for calling out singer JK Labajo’s performance during the Dinagyang Festival when the mayor himself is known to publicly utter profanities and threats.
TRENAS and Labajo
Ilonggos took to social media to point out the double standard policy of Treñas who publicized his profanities since he once again became mayor in 2019.
“Sorry, but Yor, daw ikaw man gani sagad pamuyayaw sa imo press con (Sorry, but aren’t you the one who’s cussing in your press conferences),” said John Allen after a video of Labajo performing his song “Ere” went viral on social media. Labajo changed “put*ng ina” to “yudip*ta,” a Hiligaynon word. The crowd was also chanting Yudip*ta!
Treñas issued a statement posted and deleted within a few minutes by the official Facebook page of the Iloilo City government on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
He urged to “be circumspect in choosing artists that can bring positivity and promote good values in their performances” during the Dinagyang – a celebration that honors the Santo Niño or Child Jesus.
Ilonggos also reacted when city Councilor Alan Zaldivar planned to make a privilege speech against Labajo but many wondered why there was no such action when the mayor himself made statements full of profanity.
Videos of Treñas with profanity-laden tirades also resurfaced. Among those Treñas cussed were former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddyboy Locsin, fellow mayors, regional directors of national government agencies, and business executives.
Last May, Treñas cussed journalists and threatened them with libel for asking questions about the demolition of the Iloilo Central Market, a heritage structure here.