The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division charged Iloilo Lone District Rep. Jerry Treñas with graft, in relation to a P500,000 donation from Senator Loren Legarda, intended for the construction of the Iloilo Press Club building, during his time as Iloilo City mayor.

According to the decision, the then-mayor gave “unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference” for the funding; which, according to Assistant Special Prosecutor III Jorge Espinal, was never monitored or audited.

Despite Treñas signing a memorandum of agreement with the press club, the building was not constructed until 2011, after he was already out of office, and was financed by Rommel Ynion.

The building is currently not in use as it is not in possession of proper documentation with the city government./WDJ