Drilon: We commit our support

Senator Franklin Drilon recently heaped praise on incoming Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, proclaiming: “Lead the way, Mr. Mayor, and we will follow.” The senator reiterated themes of “following” and being behind the new administration throughout his statement.
During the incoming mayor’s oath-taking ceremony yesterday at the Iloilo Convention Center, the senator served as guest speaker.
“We have full faith and trust in your leadership,” he extolled. “We must stand and work together, shoulder-to-shoulder, to reclaim the title, ‘Queen City of [the] South.’”
Drilon, who is a member of the opposition bloc in the Senate, took jabs at President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Three years ago, no less than the highest official of the land labeled [Iloilo City] as the ‘most shabulized’ city in the country,” he said. “But, instead of being demoralized and discouraged, [Iloilo City] did not get discouraged, its leaders continued to work for the welfare of the Ilonggos.”
“The uncalled for remark [by] the president may have touched Ilonggos’ lives, as it was not fair at all, but, instead of trickling our spirit, his words should motivate us to double our effort to lift [Iloilo City] to economic and social heights,” he added.
The senator also credited the incoming mayor with recent developments in the city.
“For the past three years, we have made huge [strides] and accomplishments with Congressman Jerry Treñas,” Drilon lauded.
Among the developments he highlights included the Iloilo River Esplanade, wherein he noted, “[Bacolod City] made a 450-meter esplanade modeled after Iloilo City’s esplanade.”/WDJ