ILOILO – The dominance of political dynasties in this province was once again laid bare in the recent midterm elections, as long-entrenched family names swept nearly all key local posts — confirming public expectations and raising questions on the state of political competition in Iloilo.
From congressional seats, the governorship, and down to provincial and municipal posts, members of the Defensor, Debuque, Garin, Gorriceta, Biron, and Tupas clans claimed overwhelming victories, with many running unopposed or facing only token challengers.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, now on his third and final term, secured a landslide win with 811,746 votes, running unopposed after lone rival Frances Chloe Noble withdrew her candidacy.
His brother, Cong. Lorenz Defensor of the National Unity Party, retained his seat in the 3rd District with 194,791 votes, trouncing challenger Thelma Langusta, who garnered only 2,679 votes.
Other Defensor relatives also cruised to victory. Lambunao town’s Mayor Reynor Gonzales and 3rd District Provincial Board Member Jason Gonzales — both relatives of the Defensor brothers — were re-elected by wide margins.
Meanwhile, Municipality of Anilao’s Mayor Nathalie Ann “Lee Ann” Debuque stunned rival Cong. Raul “Boboy” Tupas in the vice gubernatorial race with 547,462 votes.
The Debuque family further consolidated local control in Anilao, with Lee Ann’s mother, Vice Mayor Matet Debuque, elected mayor; her sister Amalia Victoria continuing as ex-officio Provincial Board member through the Liga ng mga Barangay; and cousin Lyka elected vice mayor.
The Garin family retained its stronghold in the 1st District. Cong. Janette Garin was re-elected with 154,031 votes, crushing rivals Victor Tabaquirao (19,929) and Rosendo Langusta (3,900). Her husband, Miag-ao town mayor Richard Garin, defeated Vice Mayor Macario Napulan.
The Garin couple’s daughter, Rica Jane, won her first term as Provincial Board member.
Other Garin family members — Guimbal’s Mayor Jennifer Garin-Colada and Guimbal vice mayor-elect Christine Garin — also clinched victories. Only cousin Valentine Serag, who ran for mayor of San Joaquin town, failed in his bid.
In the 2nd District, Dr. Kathryn Joyce “Doc Kathy” Gorriceta of the Nacionalista Party ran unopposed and was elected with 143,184 votes, succeeding her husband, outgoing Cong. Michael Gorriceta. Their cousin, Pavia municipal mayor Luigi Gorriceta, also ran unopposed.
However, not all Gorricetas won: Ross Paul Gorriceta lost the San Miguel mayoralty to Bonifacio Salapantan Jr., and Marina Gorriceta, his mother, lost the vice mayoral race to Atty. Rochin Sherwin Sanchez.
The Biron family maintained a firm grip on the 4th District, with patriarch Cong. Ferjenel Biron of the Nacionalista Party securing 139,202 votes against retired police major Charlie Sustento’s 79,236.
Biron’s sons Braeden John (mayor of Dumangas) and Bryant Paul (mayor of Barotac Nuevo), along with brother Hernan Jr. (vice mayor of Barotac Nuevo), all won re-election.
Despite the vice gubernatorial loss of Cong. Raul “Boboy” Tupas, the Tupas family continued to dominate the 5th District. His wife, Binky April Montesclaros-Tupas, defeated brother-in-law Niel “Jun-jun” Tupas Jr. with 145,283 votes to 113,313.
Cousins Dr. Nielito Tupas and Atty. Rolex Tupas Suplico were elected as Provincial Board members.
Mayor Nielo Tupas of Barotac Viejo was also re-elected.
However, Niel Tupas III, another family member, lost his bid for a board member seat.
All winning candidates were officially proclaimed by the Commission on Elections – Iloilo Province, led by Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Reinier Layson, during proclamation ceremonies held on Tuesday, May 13, at the session hall of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
Raul, Niel Jr., Nielito, Niel III, and Nielo are sons of the late governor Niel Tupas Sr. and the late Barotac Viejo mayor Myrna Causing Tupas.
Suplico is a cousin of the Tupas siblings./PN
