ILOILO – Politics is continuing to drive a wedge between Cong. Raul “Boboy” Tupas of the 5th District and elder brother Niel “Jun-jun” Jr., former congressman.
On Monday, reelectionist Raul defeated Niel Jr.
The brothers have a falling out in 2015 following Raul’s decision to run against Niel’s wife for congressman in the 2016 polls.
That year, Niel Jr. was ending his third and final consecutive term as congressman. He would have wanted wife Yvonne Angeli, a lawyer like him, to succeed him.
But Raul, a Philippine Military Academy graduate, was interested to become a congressman, too and pushed through his candidacy. He eventually defeated sister-in-law Yvonne Angeli.
The brothers have not been talking since.
Still, Raul said he remains hopeful that a reconciliation would happen.
“Waay gid kamo makabati, not a single instance nagahambal ako sang masakit nga tinaga nga makapilas sa balatyagon. Biskan ano nga haboy or pakalain sa akon, hambal ko naga-agi lang ini kay politika. Kami mag-utod sa gihapon,” he said.
Three years ago in the May 2019 elections Neil Jr. was also beaten by Boboy.
“I always respect sang decision sang akon brother, magulang ko. Ako tani matagaan sang tsansa mabalikay gid kami, ma-updanay kay amo ni ang panawagan ni Tatay sang buhi pa sia,” said Raul.
After defeating his sister-in-law in the congressional race in 2016, Raul promised their father (the late Gov. Niel Sr.) and mother (former mayor Toto Myrna of Barotac Viejo) that he would try to reconcile their family and unite the people of the 5th District./PN
