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ILOILO CITY — Jerry Treñas, the outgoing mayor of this city, said the success of women leaders in the midterm elections reflects the city's commitment to inclusive and diverse leadership.
"I believe that it only shows that in Iloilo City, the Ilonggos are inclusive and there is always a place for everyone, even our mem-bers of the [LGBTQIA+ community]," he said in an interview.
Mayor-elect Raisa Treñas-Chu, Vice Mayor-elect Love-Love Baronda and reelected Rep. Jam-Jam Baronda were officially proclaimed winners by the Iloilo City Board of Canvassers on May 13, 2025.
He likened women in political leadership to their roles in families — caring, detail-oriented, and highly capable of managing re-sponsibilities.
"This gives them the platform to prove that they are more than ready," said Treñas, who did not run for reelection but endorsed the candidacy of his daughter Raisa.
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"It will give them a chance to show that they can make it," he added.
Raisa, meanwhile, called her landslide victory both an honor and a major responsibility.
"To be elected as the first woman mayor of the city is a big responsibility. To get that number of votes is overwhelming [...] Inday Raisa will be a mother for Iloilo City," she said, promising to lead with compassion and strength.
Jam-Jam, on the other hand, echoed the sentiment, highlighting how women leaders combine resilience with empathy.
"The advantage of being a woman is that we are meticulous. We want everything to be done according to plan,' she said.
"We can be tough, but we can also be soft-hearted, and if there's something that needs help, we will gladly extend our hands," she added.
Jam-Jam believes their victory sends a strong message to women aspiring for public service.
Meanwhile, Love-Love pointed out that the voters' decision to choose women across the board is also a call for progress and inclu-sivity in local governance.
"The public wants fresh ideas, fresh perspectives. Rest assured that we will work together, not only for the betterment of specific offices but for the benefits of the whole of Iloilo City," she said.
Love-Love is the first woman to be elected as vice mayor of Iloilo City.
