BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – The father may have spoken, but the children are not about to toe the line immediately.
To one of the Tupas siblings, any political pronouncement is far from final especially if the election is still faraway.
Fifth District Provincial Board member Nielo Tupas believes there are still a lot of changes and possibilities to happen.
“In politics, there is no finality unless ara na,” he said when reached for his comment regarding the recent declaration of his father, former governor Niel Tupas Sr. that he would support whoever Cong. Niel Tupas Jr. endorses to replace him.
Tupas Jr. is already endorsing his wife, Atty. Yvonne Angeli Lee-Tupas, for the post he will vacate.
But his younger brother, Vice Gov. Raul Tupas is reported also to have set his eye on the same post.
The young Board member cited the 2010 election. His father had already been endorsed by Sen. Franklin Drilon to run for governor when the top leaders of the Liberal Party decided to support Arthur Defensor instead.
Tupas said he had never thought there would be rivalry within their family.
On the other hand, the unica hija of the Tupases, Tweety Tupas-Balleza, refused to comment since the issue would have to be resolved yet by the family.
Barotac Viejo, Iloilo’s Mayor Neil Tupas III, on the other hand, has remain silent on the matter.
Cong. Tupas Jr. wanted his siblings to follow the wish of their father.
In politics, the Tupas family should be “united”, he insisted.
According to the congressman, their father’s “definitive statement” should “put an end to speculations about the unity of our family.”
According to former governor Tupas, “Sia (Cong. Tupas Jr.) ang may poder mag-endorso kon sin-o ang mabulos sa iya.”/PN
