COVID mends ties of feuding Nava brothers

GUIMARAS – Former congressman Joaquin Carlos “JC” Rahman Nava and younger brother former governor Felipe Hilan Nava have reconciled after almost a decade of animosity due to personal and political differences.

Felipe is gunning for a seat in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan under the lineup of his older brother who is eyeing the gubernatorial post.   

After attending an 8 a.m. Mass yesterday, the Nava brothers and the rest of their slate filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office on Jordan town.

The coronavirus pandemic patched things up between him and his “Toto”, according to Felipe.

“Isa ka nagtulod sa amon nga naglapitay (was) ang COVID sang na-ospital ako,” said Felipe.

“Na-realizar (namon) nga indi nami sige ilinaway. Family first,” he added.

Felipe also pointed to their common love for their mother.

“Nag-ayo sia (Rahman) nga updan ko sia so sige ah waay problema. Importante nga maghirop ang pamilya. Ang magulang namon nga baye masyado man ka malipayon, pati ang mga kaparentihan namon kag mga tawo sa Guimaras,” he added.

The former governor hopes the reconciliation can now bring peace and more progress to this province.

“Gapalasamat ‘ko sa inyo nga pangamuyo kag sa pagsuporta sa amon nga pamilya,” said Felipe. “Kabay pa ang liwat nga pag-updanay namon sang magulang ko makahatag man sang maayo nga panan-awan kag masanag nga kaayuhan para sa probinsya.”

Felipe sought reelection as governor in 2013 but lost to incumbent Gov. Samuel Gumarin who was a party-mate of Rahman.

SLATE

According to Rahman, the incumbent candidates in their lineup will remain under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), while he and the rest will run under Uswag Ilonggo and the National Unity Party (NUP).

Rahman’s wife, Cong. Ma. Lucille Nava, is seeking re-election as well as Vice Gov. John Edward Gando.

The province-island of Guimaras is composed of five municipalities – Jordan, Buenavista, Nueva Valencia, Sibunag, and San Lorenzo.

The group’s bets for Board Members (BM) are Buenavista’s Vice Mayor Cecile Gumarin, Buenavista Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Perfect “Boking” Habaña Jr., incumbent BMs Raymond Gavileño and Aurelio Tionado for the 1st District; and former governor Felipe Hilan Nava, former Nueva Valencia mayor Alex Araneta, BM Luben Vilches, and Nueva Valencia SB member Marilyn Edang for the 2nd District.

For mayors and vice mayors, their candidates are:

* Jordan – reelectionist Mayor Ruben Corpuz and David Gano for vice mayor

* Sibunag – reelectionist Mayor Annabelle Samaniego and SB member Boy Segovia for vice mayor

* San Lorenzo – reelectionists Mayor Ninfa Gajo and Vice Mayor Jun Cordero

* Nueva Valencia – Vice Mayor Paul Vincent dela Cruz for mayor and Ma. Luz Gambalan for vice mayor

* Buenavista – Gov. Samuel Gumarin for mayor and BM Cyril Beltran for vice mayor

“Ginalauman naton nga matagaan sang kahigayunan nga maayo ang aton probinsya kag mapadayon ang pagpaninguha nga kita makaangkon sang masanag nga palaabuton,” said the former congressman.

EUGENE REYES

Buenavista’s Mayor Eugene Reyes is no longer with the Nava group; reportedly formed another.

Rahman said Reyes was offered to run for Board Member under their group but he turned it down.

“Siguro he takes his bar sa disagreement nila ni Gov. Sam (Gumarin). I think may ara gina-put up man nga grupo kontra sa amon sa banwa sang Buenavista,” said Rahman.

It was Reyes’ right to decide to break away, according to Rahman.

“Indi ta ‘na sila mapunggan. Aton nagtinguha kita kontani ang aton grupo isa lang. Waay ‘ta may mahimo but to face the reality. Kami we stick with Gov. Sam bilang mayoral candidate sa banwa sang Buenavista,” he said./PN