ILOILO – Politics remains a family affair for several clans holding sway in this province’s five districts. Monday’s elections saw them even tightening their grip on power and expanding their influence.
Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution states, “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
Despite this constitutional provision, however, no law has been passed nor any action done to prohibit political dynasties.
In the 1st District, the Garin family even managed to expand its influence despite the passing last year of its patriarch, former congressman and Guimbal town mayor Oscar Garin.
Garin’s son Richard, himself a former congressman, former vice governor and former Guimbal mayor, won as mayor in the adjacent town of Miag-ao.
Richard’s wife, reelectionist Cong. Janette Garin, secured a second term to serve the 1st District which covers the towns of Guimbal, Igbaras, Miag-ao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, and Tubungan.
The Garin family matriarch, Richard’s mother Ninfa, was reelected as mayor of San Joaquin.
Richard’s elder sister Jennifer Garin Colada was elected mayor of Guimbal while younger sister Christine, the incumbent vice governor, secured another term.
The late Oscar Garin served as congressman from 1987 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2004. Wife Ninfa was elected congresswoman of the district for one term – 1998 to 2001 – and had previously served, too, as Sangguniang Panlalawigan member.
In the 2nd District, incumbent Cong. Michael Gorriceta got reelected, and so were his cousin Mayor Laurence Anthony Gorriceta of Pavia town and aunt, Mayor Marina Gorriceta of the nearby municipality of San Miguel.
In the 3rd District, Cong. Lorenz Defensor was successful in his reelection bid (his second term). He is the younger brother of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. who himself ran and won his second term as Iloilo’s chief executive. Prior to becoming governor, Arthur Jr. was congressman of the 3rd District (2010-2019).
The Defensor brothers are sons of former governor Arthur Defensor Sr. who steered the provincial government from 1992 to 2001 and from 2010 to 2019. He also served as 3rd District congressman from 2001 to 2010.
The 3rd District is made up of the municipalities of Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina, Pototan .
In the 4th District, Dr. Ferjenel Biron made a successful comeback as congressman on Monday to replace his son, Cong. Braden John. He had served the district already from 2004 to 2013 sand from 2016 to 2019.
Braden John ran for mayor of Dumangas town on Monday and won.
Ferjenel’s other son, Bryant Paul, won as mayor of Barotac Nuevo town while his father Hernan Sr. has been reelected vice mayor.
In the 5th District, the Tupases, despite not seeing eye to eye, remain the political kingpins. Cong. Raul Tupas was reelected while his wife Binky won as member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Tupas’ brother Nielo was reelected mayor of Barotac Viejo town. Also, sister-in-law Candice (wife of their younger brother Lex) reelected Iloilo City councilor.
In Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas got reelected. He also fielded his son Miguel in the race for city councilor. Miguel won – an obviously replacement to cousin Councilor Jay Treñas who is completing his third consecutive term this June 30.
Treñas’ daughter Raisa, on the other hand, has been chosen as second nominee of the Uswag Ilonggo party-list.
Another emerging political dynasty in Iloilo City are the Barondas. Cong. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda was re-elected for a second term. Her father, former City Health Office chief Dr. Urminico Baronda won as city councilor to replace his daughter, Lady Julie Grace, city councilor.
In the island province of Guimaras, Joaquin Rahman Nava is poised to become governor once again. His wife is the incumbent Guimaras congresswoman, Lucille, who secured another term.
In Antique, tthe province’s next congressman is Antonio Agapito “AA” Legarda, brother of outgoing Cong. Loren Legarda who is returning to the Senate./PN
