Debt and Gratitude: How Gonzalez Jumpstarted the Political Career of Trenas

As a small boy my father taught me never to get caught in a situation where I will find myself indebted to another person. My late father was an extremely proud man and as a child he often admonished me whenever I took something or accepted a favour from someone. “Indi ka mag-molestiya” I remember were the words that he repeatedly drilled into us his children which to him means not only getting into financial debt but also includes paying your own way, earning your keep, advancing thru your own merit and not being a burden to others. But as I became older I found out that it is virtually impossible not to get into someone else’s debt in one way or another. "No man is an island" and as we go thru life we indubitably accumulate debts of gratitude along the way. Thus, life is not so much about learning how to avoid but how to honor your debts.

I got into thinking about this subject of debt and gratitude because people in Iloilo City are currently talking about how Mayor Jerry Trenas is a big ingrate who does not know how to pay his debt of gratitude to the Gonzalezes. Mayor Trenas himself admitted during his press conference that he “owes a lot” to the Gonzalezes and this got me curious enough to investigate how exactly did he get himself indebted to them. Here is the inside story:

Even at a young age, Buenaventura Geronimo “Jerry” Perez Trenas already displayed above-average intelligence and leadership qualities that seemed to pre-destine him to a life in politics. After placing 11th during the 1982 bar examinations, he joined the prestigious ACCRA law office of Senators Edgardo Angara and Franklin Drilon in Makati City. He then went back to Iloilo City to manage the law firm founded by his grandfather, the Trenas, Trenas & Rubias Law Office. Since his father and grandfather have been lawyering for the Iloilo’s landed and merchant families since the time of President Manuel Quezon, Trenas easily established a name in local circles. He made a good living out of his law practice because he inherited not only his father’s and grandfather’s law office but most of their “old rich” clients as well. Aside from that, Trenas also married well: his wife Rosalie belongs to the Sarabia clan which owns a chain of optical shops, pawnshops and other business interests in Iloilo and Manila.

In 1986, Jerry Trenas made a very auspicious start in local politics when Cory Aquino appointed him councilor of Iloilo City (along with Mayor Tita Caram) in gratitude for his efforts during the anti-Marcos struggle. Because of his impressive credentials, was earmarked early on as a “mayorable.” But after such a promising start, things began to slowly unravel for the boyish-looking politician from Mandurriao. When he first ran for mayor he was defeated by the populist and popular politician from Molo, Mansueto “Mansing” Malabor. I remember this clearly because my clan supported his candidacy by virtue of my uncle being his law partner. I also remember that the reason he lost was because the people perceived him to be “elitist” due to his being a senator’s grandson, his being an Atenean, his being married into one of the richest families in Iloilo City and his aloof demeanour which Ilonggos tended to misinterpret as arrogance or snobbishness.

After his electoral fiasco, Jerry Trenas was in a political limbo. He was bitter, suffering from depression and he lost all his enthusiasm for politics. Seeing its damaging effects to him both psychologically and financially, his family swore that they will never again allow him to run for any public office. Most of his supporters have also abandoned him, thinking he is a “has-been.” Disheartened and disillusioned - this was the mental state of Jerry Trenas when Raul Gonzalez, Sr. (who was then a congressman) found him quite by accident eating at the foodcourt of MaryMart Mall sometime in 2000. At that time, Raul Senior was scouting around for a candidate to replace Malabor who was then serving his third and last term as mayor in 2001. Previously, Gonzalez had invited Congressman Paeng Lopez-Vito and Vice Mayor Guilling dela Llana to run for mayor under his ticket but both turned down his offer. With the 2001 elections fast approaching and still no mayoral candidate in sight, Gonzalez on impulse offered the slot to Trenas right there and then in the middle of MaryMart Mall. Trenas initially was non-committal (he did not refuse but he did not accept either) to the offer. He said that he had lost his appetite for politics and that he had already promised his loved ones that he will retire from politics. He also added that he was practically insolvent having spent all his money on his two previous attempts. But after several more meetings and subsequent negotiations, Trenas was eventually prevailed upon by the elder Gonzalez to run but only on the condition that they will share campaign expenses 25%-75% (that is, 25% Trenas, 75% Gonzalez). The elder Gonzalez agreed and the rest, as they say, is history. With his political base (mainly the Ilonggo middle-class) plus the Gonzalez machinery vote, Trenas handily won as mayor in 2001, then in 2004 and overwhelmingly in 2007.

I am sure that Gonzalez presently is ruing the day he made that decision to invite Trenas to his camp because, by resuscitating his moribund political career, he unwittingly bred a serious opponent for his son. Gonzalez Senior did everything to support Mayor Trenas and did absolutely nothing to antagonize him. He treated him with due respect, used his national influence to assist him in running Iloilo City, shouldered most of the political bills and even attempted to create a new congressional district for him when his term as mayor was up. So it would be perfectly natural for the Gonzalez camp to feel bad and call him an ingrate. Civil society (NGOs, Catholic Church, middle class groups, etc.) has a hoity toity word to describe this behaviour of politicians who don’t know how to pay their debts of gratitude and who abandon long-time allies for their personal advancement. I believe the term they use is “political opportunism.”

In hindsight, I still think Raul Senior did not err in choosing him because Trenas proved himself more than equal to the task of running Iloilo City. Trenas “raised the bar” so to speak for all the succeeding mayors to surpass and I think the people after having “tasted” his brand of leadership would not stand for another “Malabor-like” politician (i.e. someone from Molo again) to head City Hall. Ultimately, the people of Iloilo City benefited from Raul Senior’s fateful decision back in 2000 to revive the sputtering career of Jerry Trenas. And if Mayor Jerry became too big for his shoes, well that’s par for the course in the great game that is politics. Still, Gonzalez Senior did not deserve the treatment that he got from Mayor Trenas after all the things he had done for him.

Ilonggos innately do not like people who do not know how to pay their debts. In Iloilo City, individuals who have a “sense of entitlement” and “debt amnesia” are treated like pariahs, shunned and avoided by people. I am told that Mayor Trenas in the last couple of weeks has been trying to “collect” from his barangay captains, reminding them of past favors and the innumerable assistance he extended them and even threatening to fire their casuals in City Hall. To his chagrin, most of the barangay captains refused to honor their debts of gratitude to him. In effect, Trenas is currently getting a dose of his own medicine for how can he expect to “collect” when he himself doesn’t know how to pay back his own debt to the Gonzalezes. Failing to pay your debt makes it easy for people in turn not to pay their debts to you. Ilonggos do not like ingrates and come election day, I believe the voters will demonstrate what they really think about persons who do not know how to honor their debts of gratitude.

Hitler Hates Erap

Watch this. Truly hilarious.... but right on the money.

Political Battle Lines Drawn in Iloilo

With barely a month before the COMELEC-appointed deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacies, the political battle lines are firming up in Iloilo. Most recently, outgoing Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas proclaimed that he is vying for the city’s lone congressional post thus setting the stage for an exciting battle royale between him and his erstwhile political ally Congressman Raul Gonzalez, Jr. In the coming weeks, people expect to see further realignments and the completion of candidates’ slates.

Earlier this month, House Majority Leader Art Defensor formally declared that he will again run for governor pitting him against Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul Tupas, son of outgoing Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. Held at the posh Hotel del Rio, Defensor’s coming-out party was an impressive “show-of-force” since it was attended by four out of the five incumbent congressmen of Iloilo, almost the entire Sangguniang Panlalawigan and 32 out of the 43 mayors of the province. For his part, Governor Tupas announced that he intends to run for congressman in the Fourth District against Representative Ferjenel Biron while another son, Niel Tupas, Jr. is vying for reelection in the Fifth District against the come-backing Rolex Suplico. Provincial Administrator Manuel “Boy” Mejorada, Tupas’s right-hand man, is planning to contest the Second District seat of Congresswoman Judy Syjuco along with Pavia Mayor Cadio Gorriceta. Governor Tupas has yet to proclaim a bet for the First District and it seems that Janet Garin will be the only incumbent representative which will have a relatively easy reelection bid.

It is also apparent that the 2010 elections in Iloilo will be fought along the Liberal Party vs. Lakas-Kampi lines. The Liberal Party has a strong “presence” both in the province and the city and among all the various opposition parties, it is only the group capable of fielding a respectable slate of candidates in all positions to be contested from governor down to municipal councilors. With several “evenly-matched” candidates, the 2010 race promises to be a very exciting one in Iloilo.

Admittedly, I am one of those who wished that Mayor Trenas would run for vice mayor instead and remain with the Gonzalez group because not only will it break the existing “political equilibrium” in Iloilo City but personally, it will also threaten to upset harmonious relationships between family members. Definitely, there is truth to the saying that “all politics is local.” And if all politics is local, then local politics is indubitably personal. In my family for example, my uncle Atty. Greg Rubias is the law partner of Mayor Trenas while I on the other hand work as legislative consultant for Congressman Raul Gonzalez, Jr. and count among my close friends another Gonzalez son. I am sure like me there are many Ilonggos out there who find themselves in a similar situation being forced to choose between the Gonzalez and Trenas camps. Mandurriao ABC President Ricky Mendoza (no relation) in an interview over Aksyon Radyo perhaps captured the general sentiment when he said that “masubo gid kag daw indi ko mabal-an himu-on ko” in reaction to Trenas’s decision. That is why even though someone “in the know” already told me two days before that Trenas is indeed running for congressman, I refused to believe it and I was still hoping that Mayor Trenas will see the “wisdom” of Secretary Gonzalez’s plan i.e. that in case something happens to him midway into his term (assuming he wins), City Hall would remain in good hands and not inadvertently fall into the hands of a “clueless” person. In fairness to the old man Gonzalez, he tried everything to avert a fight - everyone in Iloilo City knows that the bill re-apportioning the city into two districts was tailor-fit for Mayor Jerry – and was nothing but supportive of Mayor Jerry's political career til now. But perhaps it was wishful thinking on my part to expect a politician to set aside personal ambition for the sake of sentimentality and such “foolish notions” like loyalty, camaraderie, harmony, etc. because we all know that a politician’s loyalty to a group ends where personal ambition begins.

The Ati Calling the Negro Black

Last week, Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (who has declared his intention to run for mayor) strongly denied in local media that he is a traditional politician. His exact words were: “I am not here to perpetuate myself in power but to serve and help others serve in the future. I am not a trapo as others are saying because I don’t make politics my source of livelihood. Our family has no intention to put up a political dynasty. The ultimate indication of traditional politics is perpetuation in power.” He also added that he will retire from politics when he is 50 (he is 44 years old today).

If he intends to honor this promise, then that means he will serve as mayor for only two terms. I somehow find it hard to believe that someone who is seemingly in such a hurry and so atat na atat in becoming mayor would so easily give it up when, as he said, “he reaches 50 years old.” But what happens if there is a so-called “public clamor” (which is so easily manufactured in this country, especially if you have money and media savvy) for him to complete his three-terms? Will he then succumb and use this “clamor” as an excuse for breaking his promise?

At 50 a man is just at the height of his powers. But at this age, Mabilog would like us to believe that he would retire unceremoniously. I somehow find that totally incredible because if history teaches us anything it is that power is intoxicating and even the most steadfast of men easily succumb to its allure. In the movie Lord of the Rings, we saw that the ring of power was not given to the Race of Men, Dwarfs or the Elves but to the Hobbit precisely because Hobbits are simple creatures and lack the ambition to dominate others. But even the happy-go-lucky Hobbit Frodo Baggins did not give up the ring of power so easily (he had to be forced to do it by his sidekick Samwise Gamgee) and even Frodo’s uncle, Bilbo Baggins, was destroyed by the ring of power. Alas, Hobbits exist only in fantasy but the movie Lord of the Rings offers a perfect analogy of the corrupting influence of political power.

In real life, we have as a perfect example the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos, whom even his detractors would grudgingly describe as a brilliant guy, was elected president in 1965 when he was only 47 years old and again reelected in 1969. His term should have ended in 1973 but the problem was, in 1973 Marcos would have only been 55 years old. He rightly felt that he was too young to retire – and many Filipinos at that time sincerely agreed with him - and this was one of his personal justifications why he declared Martial Law and perpetuated himself in power. I still hear oldtimers say that Marcos started out as a good man and that he became corrupted after staying too long in power; a record-breaking 20 years. Today, whenever I hear the word trapo, I think of Ferdinand Marcos. He has become the perfect embodiment of a traditional politician.

So how do you define a trapo? The concept of the trapo is very hard to capture in words but, much like pornography which likewise eludes definition, Filipinos usually know a trapo when they see one. Trapos we are told are politicians who have no ideology and are interested only in acquiring power for personal gratification. Thus, he switches parties and abandons allies when it is no longer convenient to his political ambitions. They are persons who will do anything and say everything just to get elected even though they lack the necessary qualifications, intelligence and track record to govern. As such, a trapo is someone who engages in mere tokenism and is not really after instituting reforms and improving the lot of the people. Also, trapos love to call attention to themselves and often surround themselves with sycophants (or mga sipsip).

Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is a trapo is because his pronouncements often do not jive with his actions. For example, he said that he will not engage in mudslinging because “that is the trapo way.” But in labelling Secretary Gonzalez a trapo, isn’t he engaged in mudslinging already? People cannot be expected to trust someone who says one thing and does another. And because of his “aggressive” style of politics, people get the impression that he will say and do anything to win as mayor. Mabilog calling Secretary Gonzalez a traditional politician is like the ati calling the negro black. In fact, even hard-core trapos in Iloilo City are hesitant (nahuya) and not quite capable of doing the things that Vice Mayor Mabilog has been doing for the past six years to further his political career. I mean, handing out medals which have your face plastered on the back is definitely raising the bar of trapo-hood a notch higher (or lower if you like). At least, when Secretary Gonzalez was Mabilog’s age he was definitely not a trapo: he was busy fighting the Marcos dictatorship and lawyering for jailed opposition figures (like Ninoy Aquino) then. At least Raul Gonzalez, Sr. had the courage to stand up for his convictions back when it was not politically convenient and dangerous to do so. Mabilog, on the other hand, served actively the Marcos regime by heading its youth organization Kabataang Barangay in Molo. Even at a young age, he was already a trapo.

Since he is vying for the highest post in the city, Mabilog should expect his track record to be scrutinized. It is not my intention to denigrate Mabilog but I would be amiss in my duties as a columnist if I fail to point out what I see as his failings as a leader because in the end, it is the people of Iloilo City who will eventually suffer if we elect, for lack of information, another “clueless” person to head City Hall. I am not engaging in mudslinging; far from it, I am raising these points merely to elicit information and draw out answers from our vice mayor. Kung wala kalayo, indi maluto ang bibingka and it is only thru the heat of intense media scrutiny that issues are joined and the people enlightened. This is why I would like to end this entry with a challenge in the form of a question. “What life-altering things have you really done for our people besides handing out “tokens” and palliatives like birthday cakes, t-shirts and caps, medals and the like, and being “extra-friendly” and very accommodating to people? What concrete steps have you done to address the real, “big-ticket” problems of the city such as the periodic flooding, the brown-outs, the lack of economic opportunities, the squatter problem and urban congestion, the burgeoning illegal drug trade and the deteriorating public school system in Iloilo City?” If your excuse is that as Vice Mayor you do not have the power and resources to address these problems, then my next question to you is: “As Presiding Officer of the City Council, what noteworthy ordinances and policies have you personally initiated and enacted that have helped improve the plight of Ilonggos? ”

Please, please Mr. Vice Mayor carefully explain to us, enlighten us, convince us why you deserve our trust and our vote as mayor of Iloilo City.