ILOILO CITY: Mayor Jerry Treñas of this city said no family member of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed intent to seek an elective position in the city government for the May 2025 midterm polls.

"I talked with first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and she confirmed it to me," Treñas said in a press conference here on Monday.

The mayor said that the first lady has also declined several invitations to attend city government affairs to avoid stirring speculations related to local politics.

The first lady has been a faculty member at West Visayas State University's College of Law since 2022. Her father, Manuel Araneta Jr., was born in Iloilo City.

It can be recalled that in July 2023, Sen. Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos hinted that one of the President's sons would run for an elective post in Iloilo City.

This was later denied by the senator to the members of the media in Iloilo, saying, "I have no proof. I have no evidence. I have no basis."

Meanwhile, Treñas announced that he will run for the 2025 midterm elections but did not specify whether he would seek reelection or pursue another position.

"I am sure that I will run in the next elections," he said.

Treñas has a long history in public service, having served as a councilor from 1986 to 1992 and as a congressman from 2010 to 2019.

He was first elected as mayor in 2001, serving until 2010 before becoming a congressman. He resumed his role as mayor in 2019 and was reelected in 2022.

When asked about the possibility of running for the Senate, the city mayor said that the duties of being a senator are too taxing for him.

"The senatorial duties are demanding, and I do not have such capabilities just like Senator Robin Padilla," he said.

Treñas also told the media that he has no plans to shift to Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the party of President Marcos.

"So far, I don't have any plans to shift to the party of the President because the National Unity Party is supportive of the President. Even during our last meeting, prior to the presidential elections, only President Marcos was there," he said.