BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Councilor Sumakwel Nava Jr. on Wednesday, Feb. 14, vowed to “speak for the truth” and “defend the oppressed” as he is about to carry out his legislative duties as the newest member of the Iloilo City Council.
In his inaugural address during the city council’s session, Nava Jr. said that though he may not be as feisty and vocal as his brother, resigned councilor Plaridel, he considered himself a “fiscalizer and fighter” in the city council who will stand for what is right and good for the city.
“To be clear, I am not my brother. I cannot be him. He is articulate, vocal, knowledgeable, combative, and feisty. He has unlimited courage and he has this thing that will either irritate people or make people drive crazy about him,” he said.
Nava Jr. began 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 mayor’s office last week.
Although he cannot be like his brother, Nava Jr. said he is willing to stand for truth and uphold the rule of law.
“I am not my brother but I will continue his legacy, his platforms and his advocacies against illegal drugs, corruption and abuse of power,” said Nava Jr.
But he stressed he would be working with the city council “for the betterment of our beloved city.”
“Mine is a critical collaboration with the administration. I will support all programs and projects of the Treñas administration for as long as these directly benefit our constituents,” said Nava Jr.
But he said he is willing to continue the unfinished platforms of his resigned brother.
Plaridel earlier 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.”
He said he has lost his identity and sense of purpose. He has also concluded that politics is not good for him and his family.
Plaridel had recommended Sumakwel as his replacement under their political party PROMDI (Progressive Movement for Devolution of Initiatives) to fill up the vacancy in the city council.
Interviewed after administering the oath-taking, Mayor Treñas said he is glad that the vacant possession in the city council would be filled 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.
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 the Central Philippine University.
Nava Jr. 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 boxer.
He is married to Mary Edielin Areño, daughter of former Assistant State Prosecutor Eduardo Areño. They have two daughters, who are both college students at the University of San Agustin./PN
