BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – He may not be as feisty as his younger brother, resigned city councilor Plaridel Nava, Sumakwel Nava Jr., however, vowed to be “combative” as his sibling when issues concerning public good may arise.
Nava Jr. will begin today his legislative duties as the newest member of the Iloilo City Council after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved his appointment as city councilor after Plaridel resigned last year due to “personal and health reasons.”
He took his oath of office before Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in the latter’s office on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 7.
Interviewed before his oath-taking, Nava Jr. said he would first “take a deep breath,” saying he was also caught by surprise by his appointment.
Contrary to his feisty approach to his brother Plaridel, Nava Jr. said he prefers “teamwork” in carrying out his functions.
“My brother, being a lawyer, would react if there are issues. But as of now, I think there is none so far. The mayor’s team is so far, so good. If there are issues concerning public good and policy, that’s where we will weigh things out. Right now, we will face things as they come,” said Nava Jr.
But he said he is willing to continue the unfinished platforms of his resigned brother.
In a separate interview, Plaridel said he advised his brother to work with the administration “for the betterment of our city without undermining our mandate to protect public interests.”
Plaridel tendered his resignation as a member of the city council in a letter dated Aug. 22, 2023. He said his decision to quit as councilor was the “best decision I will make in my life.”
Plaridel said he has lost his identity and sense of purpose. He has also concluded that politics is not good for him and his family.
But he told his ellow councilors he was hopeful of a better city council. “We fought, we argued, we almost had fistfights. Tempers flared in the city council not for personal reasons but with utmost desire to improve the state of our city council,” he said.
The former city councilor added he would be leaving the SP with pride and honor that he had given his best to perform his duties and responsibilities.
Plaridel had recommended Nava Jr. as his replacement under their political party PROMDI (Progressive Movement for Devolution of Initiatives) to fill up the vacancy in the city council.
Plaridel was elected councilor in 2010 and served for three consecutive terms or a total of nine years until 2019. He ran but lost in the vice mayoralty race in the 2019 elections. In 2022, he ran again for a seat in the city council and won.
Interviewed after administering the oath-taking, Mayor Treñas said he is glad that the vacant possession in the city council would be filled in following Nava Jr.’s appointment.
“I hope we will continue with the collegial body that will support the policies and programs of the administration,” said Treñas.
Although Plaridel is a staunch critic of his administration, the mayor said he does not expect anything from the newly appointed councilor.
The mayor noted that former Prosecutor Eduardo Areño, the father of Nava Jr.’s wife, was also his friend when he was still a practicing lawyer.
Nava Jr. worked with the Philippine National Bank for three decades until his retirement last year. He was an alumnus of the University of the Philippines – Visayas and also of Central Philippine University.
He was a champion amateur boxer representing Iloilo. But due to the advice of the late Dr. Catalino Nava, the former Guimaras governor, he did not go for the professional boxing.
Nava Jr. is married to Mary Edielin Areño, daughter of former Assistant State Prosecutor Areño. They have two daughters, who are both college students at the University of San Agustin./PN
