ILOILO – Mayor Niel “Bing” Tupas III of the municipality of Barotac Viejo is being eyed as running mate for vice governor of Cong. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr., the presumptive candidate for governor of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan.
If this pairing materializes, it would be a “powerhouse tandem”, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.
“Bing is seriously considering the offer to run for vice governor,” said the elder Defensor yesterday.
The mayor’s decision may be known on Sept. 17. He had to consult first his wife and siblings, said Defensor.
Tupas is a son of the late governor Niel Tupas Sr. and brother of 5th District congressman Raul Tupas. The Defensors sought him out after the Garin family of the 1st District declined a similar offer.
The Garins opted to support the gubernatorial bid of Cong. Ferjenel Biron of the 4th District. One of them would be Biron’s running mate.
If Tupas, a three-term mayor wrapping up his last consecutive term, would decide to run for vice governor, this would be the second time for a Tupas-vs-Garin for the province’s second highest elective post.
In the 2016 elections, then Guimbal mayor Christine Garin ran for vice mayor against then congressman Niel Tupas Jr. Garin won.
In a recent interview, Vice Gov. Christine Garin said she won’t seek reelection and would possibly be a nominee of the farmers’ party-list AAMBIS-Owa whose current congresswoman, her sister Sharon, could run for vice governor./PN
