ILOILO – As the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) concluded for the May 12, 2025 midterm elections, the political landscape of Iloilo Province remains a fertile ground for established political clans to thrive.
These families continue to dominate high-ranking elective positions across congressional and/or provincial levels, and several municipalities.
Among the prominent political dynasties, the Garins of the 1st District, Birons of the 4th District, Tupases of the 5th District, Defensors of the 3rd District, and Gorricetas of the 2nd District consistently appear during election seasons.
In the 1st District, the Garin family has several members vying for re-election or other positions, including:
* Cong. Janette Garin – running for re-election
* Miag-ao’s Mayor Richard Garin – also a re-electionist
* Guimbal’s Mayor Jennifer Garin-Colada – pursuing another term
* Vice Gov. Christine Garin – now running for vice mayor of Guimbal
* Rica Jane Garin – seeking a Provincial Board seat
The mayors of Miag-ao and Guimbal, and the Vice Governor are children of the late congressman Oscar Garin and San Joaquin’s Mayor Ninfa Garin.
Meanwhile, the Biron family remains influential in the 4th District with:
* Cong. Ferjenel Biron – running for re-election
* Dumangas’ Mayor Braeden John Biron – seeking another term
* Barotac Nuevo’s Mayor Bryant Paul Biron – running for re-election
* Barotac Nuevo’s Vice Mayor Hernan Biron Jr. – running for re-election
The mayors of Dumangas and Barotac Nuevo are sons of Cong. Biron, who in turn is a brother of the Barotac Nuevo vice mayor.
In the 5th District, the Tupas family continues its strong presence with:
* Cong. Raul Tupas – running for vice governor
* Provincial Board member Binky April Montesclaros-Tupas – vying for a congressional seat
* Niel Tupas Jr. – contesting for congressman
* Dr. Nielito Tupas running for Provincial Board member
* Niel Tupas III – running for Provincial Board member
* Barotac Viejo’s Mayor Nielo Tupas – seeking another term
* Sangguniang Bayan member F. Evari Tupas – running for Barotac Viejo vice mayor
* Atty. Rolex Tupas Suplico – running for Provincial Board member
Cong. Tupas, Niel Jr., Dr. Nielito, Niel III, and Barotac Viejo’s mayor are sons of the late governor Niel Tupas Sr.
Provincial Board member Binky April is the wife of Cong. Tupas.
Suplico is a cousin of the Tupas siblings.
The Gorriceta family is fielding candidates in the 2nd District:
* Dr. Kathryn Joyce Fermin-Gorriceta – running for congresswoman
* Pavia’s Mayor Laurence Anthony Gorriceta – seeking re-election
Dr. Gorriceta is the spouse of incumbent Cong. Michael Gorriceta while the Pavia mayor is a cousin of the congressman who, in turn, is a son of the late Cong. Arcadio Gorriceta.
In the 3rd District, the Defensor family features:
* Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. – seeking re-election
* Cong. Lorenz Defensor – seeking a third consecutive term
The two Defensors are sons of former governor Arthur Defensor Sr./PN
