ILOILO — Allegations of conflict of interest in multimillion-peso flood control projects in Iloilo’s 5th District have sparked a heated exchange between Provincial Board member Rolex Tupas Suplico and his cousins couple Cong. Binky April Montesclaros Tupas and husband Raul, further heightening old political tensions and divisions within the Tupas family.
In his privilege speech delivered before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on October 28, Suplico alleged manipulation of public works contracts.
“The era of the Tupases in the 5th District has ended, so they say. The era of the Montesclaroses has commenced, or so it seems,” Suplico said.
He claimed that M. Montesclaros Enterprises, Inc. (MMEI) linked to Cong. Binky’s Montesclaros family got lucrative flood control projects worth around P6.358 billion under the Duterte administration during the congressional term of Raul, and P2.938 billion more since July 2022 for 30 flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the 5th District.
But Cong. Binky Montesclaros Tupas and husband, former congressman Raul, denounced Suplico’s claims, calling them “baseless” and “disrespectful.”
In a joint statement, the couple said: “We urge BM Rolex Suplico, being both a cousin and a government official expected to act within the bounds of decency, to refrain from publicity stunts and insults and to get his facts straight from the proper authorities.”
The Tupas couple stressed that their focus remains on governance, not politics, highlighting achievements during their first 100 days in office — including education measures, eco-tourism and fisheries programs, and completed infrastructure projects.
“Public service, not politics, will always be our focus with humility and compassion as our moral compass,” Cong. Binky and Raul said.
Suplico, however, maintained that transparency and accountability must transcend bloodlines. He said his call for scrutiny is not about personalities but about ensuring that “taxpayers’ money is protected from conflicts of interest.”
As the exchange played out in the Provincial Board and on social media, observers noted that the controversy may be an early preview of a possible political showdown looming over the 5th District ahead of the 2028 elections.
In the recent May 2025 midterm elections, Suplico supported the failed congressional bid of Raul’s estranged elder brother, former congressman Niel “Jun-jun” Tupas Jr., against eventual winner and sister-i-law Cong. Binky.
Brothers Raul and Niel Jr. had been estranged since 2015 when Raul decided to run for congressman against the wife then graduating Cong. Niel Jr., Yvonne Angeli, in the 2016 election. Raul defeated his sister-in-law.
In the 2019 and 2022 elections, Niel Jr. ran unsuccessfully against his reelectionist brother Cong. Raul.
In their statement, Cong. Binky and former congressman Raul reminded Suplico that the political season ended in May 2025 and urged a focus on unity and progress for the community, rather than division and ambition.
Suplico served as 5th District congressman for three consecutive terms – for a total of nine years – from 1998 to 2007.
He was succeeded by cousin Niel Jr. for three consecutive terms also, from 2007 to 2016./PN
