ILOILO CITY — Mayor Jerry Treñas is facing mounting backlash for defying his own executive order on a non-political celebration of the 2025 Dinagyang Festival here.
Car passes issued by the Iloilo City government included a logo of Rais and Shine, the campaign logo of Raisa Treñas-Chu, the daughter of Mayor Treñas and mayoral candidate here in the May elections.
“This political move by Mayor Treñas betrays the people’s trust and highlights the misuse of power to serve his personal and family’s interest,” said militant group Bayan Panay in a statement on Friday, Jan. 24.
The inclusion of the Chu campaign logo goes against Executive Order No. 167 issued by Mayor Treñas that “prohibits all forms of election-related materials.”
Mayor Treñas previously said the Dinagyang — a celebration honoring the Santo Niño or Child Jesus — “should never serve as a platform for political campaigns as doing so would defeat the purpose of this sacred celebration.”
But by Jan. 23, Mayor Treñas defended the inclusion of the Rais and Shine logo in car passes as it allegedly represents the city government’s initiatives.
“The program and its branding have been part of the city’s ongoing strategies to engage the community and inspire development. It remains a government initiative designed to serve and benefit all Ilonggos,” claimed Mayor Treñas.
Prior to filing her candidacy last October, Chu was executive assistant of Mayor Treñas.
Mayor Treñas is also defying the executive order by allowing the presence of national politicians for major events of the Dinagyang on Jan. 25 to 26.
He said Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Mark Villar, and Senators Francis Tolentino and senatorial candidates Camille Villar, Abby Binay, and Bam Aquino are attending. Mayor Treñas said they are allowed but have a limited time for speeches.