Mayor Jerry Treñas has expressed confidence that his allies will sweep the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Speaking to journalists who took part in the launch of the first media-citizen council in Western Visayas, Treñas noted that there are many candidates for barangay (village) captain in this city who have no opponents.

“Well, we coordinate very closely with the Comelec (Commission on Elections), especially on early campaigning, and I think a big number of the barangay are not contested, about, if I’m not mistaken, 54 out of 180 [villages],” explained Treñas.

“There are usually two contending political parties, so both parties will be fielding their own candidates. Unfortunately, right now there are no strong contenders, so parang kasama mo na rin lahat (it seems like everyone is your ally). So, we don’t even feel the heat,” he added.

The Comelec data show that 21 candidates for barangay captain in this city are running unopposed in the upcoming BSKE.

Among the notable and unopposed candidates for barangay captains are incumbent barangay captain Ma. Irene Ong of President Roxas, City Proper district and currently the president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) or Liga ng mga Barangay in Iloilo City and Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) ex-officio member; incumbent barangay captain Reyland Hervias of Compania, Molo district and former ABC president and ex-officio SP member; and first-timer Julie Baronda of Javellana Extension, Jaro district.

Baronda is the mother of Iloilo City Lone District’s Rep. Julienne “Jam Jam” Baronda and the wife of city councilor Urminico Baronda. She was a three-term city councilor and the head of the La Paz Maternity and Reproductive Health Center in La Paz district.

Meanwhile, 14 are incumbents, four are first-timers and three are returnees as barangay captains.

From August 28 to September 2, Comelec-Iloilo City accepted 6,760 candidates from 180 barangay.

Of the 6,760 aspirants, the Comelec said that 396 individuals will run for barangay captain in the city, 3,599 for barangay kagawad, and 2,765 for SK.

The Comelec central office has given all election offices in the country until September 5 to produce a certified list of candidates.

Once completed, the certified list should be posted in every barangay.

Winners of the barangay and SK elections will formally assume posts on November 30 at noon, with two years in term or until Nov. 30, 2025.