Irene dares Bobby to be his own man

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE incumbent president of the Liga ng mga Barangay-Iloilo City challenged her rival to be his own man instead of seeking refuge behind his political patron.

“Be a man. Do not hide behind the skirt of Cong. Jerry Treñas,” said Punong Barangay and Liga president Irene Ong to Punong Barangay Roberto Divinagracia of San Agustin, City Proper.

Ong dished out the challenge a day after Divinagracia claimed that 142 village heads in the city signed a manifesto of support for his Liga presidency bid.

The diminutive but feisty Liga president said word of honor, not signatures, matters in the upcoming election.

Ong was supported by then Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez when she first ran for Liga presidency three years ago.

“As for myself, I am relying on the goodwill we have established among Baragay officials and the achievements of the Liga during my term. I do not need signatures but I am relying on the punong barangays who have not just given me their word of honor but are also actively campaigning for me,” Ong added.

Ong also chided her opponent for insisting that the Liga election is a “Treñas vs. Gonzalez” proxy war.

“That is another propaganda line which is inappropriate for a simple election of Liga officers. They should respect the Liga as a neutral institution that serves the needs of all Punong Barangays regardless of political persuasion or affiliation.”

Ong hoped that like Mayor Jed Mabilog, Treñas will stay away from the Liga polls. “Treñas has nothing to gain from this exercise,” Ong added.

Punong barangays reached by The Daily Guardian laughed about the presence of their signature in the so-called pledge document.

“Abi namon attendance sheet (We thought it was attendance sheet),” said a punong barangay who sought anonymity to speak freely on the issue.

Other punong barangays said they signed the pledge document out of “pakisama (peer pressure).”

Ong said she does not want to reveal the number of punong barangays supporting her to prevent her rival from pressuring her supporters.

“If the other camp claims they have 142 and I will also claim that I have 150 punong barangays, people might be confused because we will end up with 292 barangay captains in the city when we only have 180,” Ong said.

Ong expressed confidence that village chiefs of the city “will not succumb to pressure but will vote as independent and intelligent public officials” come Liga election day on December 7.