Not so long ago, then Representative Jerry Treñas challenged then presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte to a fist fight. He wanted to impress upon his presidential candidate former Senator Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party what it means to be a loyal soldier.

Unfortunately, Duterte won the presidency which left Treñas no other option but to swallow his puke, ironically, publicly and even almost instantaneously licked the ass of the straightforward old man from Davao City by immediately converting to PDP-Laban leaving behind the poor Liberal Party. Treñas was lucky because he had as a layer of protection from the wrath of Duterte then House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who was reportedly a fraternity brother of him.

Of course, the fist fight challenge turned Treñas’ balls to the size of a peanut which would explain why he failed to publicly defend the poor Jed Patrick Mabilog who was accused by Duterte of involvement in illegal drugs.

The public knew that the accusation of Duterte against Mabilog was political in nature after having snubbed three courtesy calls of then Mayor Duterte at the office of Mabilog.

Treñas was meek as a lamb when Duterte assumed office and has even embraced the fist sign, a DDS trademark, in his public appearances.

Then suddenly, when Treñas assumed as Iloilo City mayor his attitude and manners mutated into something the people of the city has never expected.

He would publicly scold his co-workers in the government to the point of even calling them names. His reason: These are the employees who supported the candidacy of defeated Mayor Joe Espinosa III.

Most recently, Treñas shouted explicit words against the employees of the City Engineer’s office after he addressed the city hall employees during the flag ceremonies.

He then arrogantly declared that he will punch anyone who will not cooperate with his leadership.

What is Treñas trying to prove? Is he portraying himself as a local version of Duterte?

Some are saying that Duterte’s arrogance is an offshoot of Fentanyl, an anti-pain drug that he has been taking. Is Treñas under medication?

Treñas should be reminded that his manner of invoking his power as the new mayor of Iloilo City is out of taste. He can never be like Duterte who is charming even if he starts declaring that he will kill all the drug lords and politicians who are involved in the illegal drug trade. Besides, Duterte has proven to the world the he can punch an offender in the presence of the media and still appear a superhero while Treñas has not even lifted a finger or slapped a crook caught by the police.

One does not become a brilliant leader by shouting and threatening people.

Mayor Treñas got so pissed of the vandals who destroyed the plants at the Esplanade that he announced a cash prize to those who can identify the offenders. Why use cash when the problem is a simple case of failure on the part of the barangay and the police to secure the place? Is he afraid to punch a barangay captain or maybe Col. Martin Defensor of the Iloilo City Police Office?

The public office that was entrusted to Treñas is never a place to continuously harass and threaten those whom he believe did not vote for him. Unless of course, there is something about the state of his health the is affecting his manners and attitude, say, a severe and continuing diarrhea that is irritating him all the time. If he is under medication, say a double dose of Imodium, only then that the public must be advised to extend caution and understanding to the city mayor.