MANILA — Vice Mayor Jun-jun Trinidad officially announced his intent to run for mayor on Tuesday (Aug. 27, 2024), setting the stage for a potential three-cornered fight for Tanauan City’s top post in the 2025 midterm elections.
The Commission on Elections has scheduled the official filing of candidacy for all elective positions from October 1-8, 2024.
“I’ve been a councilor, an administrator, and a vice mayor under three different mayors—Antonio Halili, his daughter Sweet Halili, and now Mayor Sonny Collantes. I think it’s time for me to run for mayor,” Trinidad told local media.
Trinidad ran for vice mayor in the 2022 national elections as the running mate of Mark Halili, son of the slain controversial mayor Antonio Halili.
Running under the slogan Malasakit at Husay, the younger Halili narrowly lost to the incumbent mayor in the previous elections, prompting his camp to vow a strong comeback.
During the interview, Trinidad, a lawyer by profession, confirmed that both his former running mate and the incumbent mayor are aware of his plans to run for mayor. However, political observers were surprised by his decision, as he still has one full term left as vice mayor.
“Tumatanda na rin po ako sa serbisyo, at iba na kapag ang mga tao na ang naguudyok na subukan ko na rin po ang umakyat tutal nanilbihan na rin po ako sa bayan ng mahigit 24 na taon,” Trinidad said.
He also mentioned that of the city’s 48 barangay captains, 42 recently visited him, urging him to reconsider his mayoral bid and instead complete his third and final term as vice mayor.
Trinidad emphasized that he would not be running as an independent candidate but would present a full slate.
Anti-ayuda System
However, his stance against the government’s “ayuda” or dole-out system, which he discussed with local media, may not resonate well with the “masa,” whom he identifies as the main reason for his candidacy.
“Sa totoo lang, hindi ako kumbinsido sa mga doleouts o assistance (ayuda) na binibigay ng ating gobyerno. Kasi kung titingnan n’yo, not only in the local but even in the national arena, lagi nang nagbibigay ng nagbibigay. But did the government assess the impact of the same?” Trinidad explained.
“Kung matalas ang inyong pagtingin, makikita n’yo na ang mga tumatanggap noon (at ngayon) ay iisa at iisa rin. Sila-sila rin ang tumatanggap. Pero ang dami ng pera ng gobyerno na nauubos lang sa ganoong sistema,” he added.
“Why don’t we have a concrete plan on that? Mamaya may makikita ka d’yan nakapila na humihingi ng health assistance. Okay naman ang assistance, but we have to have an assessment later on, ano ang naging impact nito sa mga kababayan natin?”
Trinidad also cited the case of TUPAD beneficiaries, whom he said are the same set of people benefiting repeatedly. TUPAD is a cash-for-work program of the Department of Labor.
“Maganda ang programa kaso napo-politicize, palibhasa malapit sa ganito, sa ganyan, sila lang lagi,” Trinidad stressed.
Three-Cornered Fight
This three-cornered fight is more than just a contest of personalities; it’s a clash of visions for Tanauan City’s future.
With the city rapidly developing into an economic hub in Batangas, the next mayor will play a crucial role in shaping its growth trajectory.
Political analysts suggest this election could be one of the most competitive in Tanauan’s history.
The Collantes-Halili rivalry alone adds significant weight to the contest, given the political histories of both families.
Meanwhile, Trinidad’s candidacy introduces an element of unpredictability, as his reform-oriented platform may resonate with voters seeking new leadership, as could Mark Halili’s appeal as a young businessman.
iamigo/mnm
