Ex-Iloilo mayor Treñas opens up on cancer: ‘Nothing to be ashamed of’

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The diagnosis came in September last year, several weeks after he stepped down as mayor. 

The 69-year-old Jerry Treñas – former mayor of Iloilo City, former congressman, a fixture in Western Visayas politics for at least a quarter of a century – said he listened, absorbed it, and did not flinch.

Pancreatic cancer.

He was once a seminarian, then a prominent lawyer in Western Visayas, and later a politician known for discipline and control – of systems, of image, and of the city he led. Under his watch, Iloilo became more orderly and deliberate, a place where governance was visible and enforced.

Now, the control he faces is of a different kind.

In an interview with Rappler on Sunday, April 19, Treñas spoke plainly about the moment he learned of the illness. 

“At that time, I said, ‘I am okay.’ I wholeheartedly accepted my fate. I am ready to go,” he said.

His wife, children, and grandchildren, however, broke into tears, worried that he would accept his fate without putting up a fight. And so, he relented. Every two weeks, he submits to chemotherapy.

Treñas said he has become more prayerful now – more than what he did when he was still in the seminary – in the hope of surviving this battle for his family’s sake.

He said his doctors also strengthened his resolve, telling him they see hope in his case given the advances in medical science.

Pancreatic cancer is a quiet but aggressive disease which begins in the pancreas where cells turn abnormal and form tumors. That gland behind the stomach helps regulate digestion and blood sugar.

It is rarely caught early as symptoms are vague and often overlooked. Most cases emerge in the ducts that carry digestive enzymes, a form known as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Data from the Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN) place pancreatic cancer as the 14th most common in incidence, and the 8th leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

When discovered early, pancreatic cancer is treatable, according to a report from the Department of Health (DOH). With procedures such as the Whipple procedure and targeted therapies using a multidisciplinary approach, a cure is no longer a remote possibility.

Treñas said he was pinning his hopes on medical breakthroughs, and his faith in God which, he said, has grown even stronger and gave him confidence that he can overcome the challenge.

At present, he said, there are no restrictions on his daily meals. Treñas said he eats anything, including “nilagang pata” (boiled pork hock).

‘Nothing to be ashamed of’

Treñas’ decision to speak openly about his illness stands out, and many have admired his openness about his cancer journey. Though it took him nearly five months to go public with it, he said, “There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“The good thing is that many are now praying for my immediate recovery, including my wife, five children, in-laws, nuns, barangay officials, friends, former scholars, classmates, supporters, and others,” Treñas said. “The more people know about my cancer, the more people pray for me.” 

He added, “Besides, I realized that having cancer is not a sin or something I should be ashamed of.”

In November 2024, Treñas also underwent a successful bile duct operation in Manila. At the time, he was still in office, yet he continued serving Iloilo City despite the political challenge of ensuring that his daughter, Raisa, would run unopposed.

Treñas succeeded. Raisa, with no rival, took over the mayorship with ease.

‘Culture of cleanliness’

He turned emotional when asked how he wanted to be remembered by his fellow Ilonggos,

Treñas said: “Through a culture of cleanliness.”

He said he empowered Iloilo residents to develop a sense of pride. That pride, reflected in having one of the cleanest cities in the country, is carried by Ilonggos wherever they go – churches, plazas, and markets.

Under Treñas’ leadership, Iloilo City was consistently recognized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for its cleanliness and sustainability, notably receiving the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award from 2020 to 2022.

This year, with his daughter Raisa as mayor, Iloilo was recognized as one of the 20 “Role Model Cities” for zero-waste innovation by a United Nations advisory board.

“I really saw to it that the city’s transformation was not just through infrastructure projects…. I invested more in transforming the attitude of residents toward progress and development – that they should be mindful of the cleanliness of our surroundings.”

Wide, well-lit, and clean roads also attract investors, he added.

“That’s a positive vibe,” he pointed out.

After nine months away from the city government he served for more than two decades, Treñas said he is more than content and happy to see his mission and vision realized. He said was convinced that Iloilo City remains in good hands under his daughter’s administration. – Rappler.com