ILOILO – Congressmen in this province have endorsed incumbent Vice Gov. Christine “Tingting” Garin to be Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s running mate in the 2022 local elections.
Both Michael Gorriceta (2nd District) and Raul Tupas (5th District) confirmed to Panay News they, as well as former congressman Ferjenel Biron, were supportive of the Defensor-Garin tandem.
According to Gorriceta, “naga-upod man kada meeting sa party si Cong. Janette Garin (1st District) kag former congressman Richard Garin.”
Defensor also mentioned Barotac Viejo’s former mayor Niel “Beng” Tupas III as “interested” in the vice gubernatorial post, according to Gorriceta.
Tupas III was Defensor’s running mate in the 2019 polls.
However, Gorriceta said it will still be up to Defensor to decide who to choose now.
In case Defensor does not choose Garin as his running mate, Gorriceta said “ma-meeting pa gid kami sa amon grupo; mabalik naman kami sa lamesa kag magsugilanon.”
Gorriceta and Tupas are members of the Nacionalista Party (NP).
Defensor, on the other hand, is the chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in this province.
GARIN’S TAKE
Gorriceta said Garin thanked them for the endorsement.
“Wala man ginhambal kon ano ang ila (ni guv) gin-istoryahan nga duha. Basta nagapasalamat sia sa amon nga suporta,” he added.
Tupas echoed this.
“Naka-istorya na sila (ni guv),” Tupas said. “Ang akon pagkabati nga open na si guv sa iya.”
However, Tupas said the final decision lies on the governor.
Tupas refused to comment when asked if he would be willing to support his brother Beng for his possible vice gubernatorial bid.
5TH DISTRICT
Tupas and Defensor, who formed an alliance, wanted their political parties not to clash in the upcoming elections.
Discussions are ongoing among their party-mates, they said.
However, of the 11 towns comprising the 5th District, four towns – San Dionisio, Batad, Sara, and Concepcion – have not yet agreed of the alliance; PDP-Laban and NP both has possible candidates for mayorship.
The incumbent mayors were San Dionisio’s Darwin Bajada (NP), Batad’s Elvira Alarcon (PDP-Laban), Sara’s Jon Aying (PDP-Laban), and Concepcion’s Raul Banias (PDP-Laban).
As to Barotac Viejo, Ajuy, San Rafael, Lemery, Balasan, Estancia, and Carles, things will soon be settled, according to Tupas.
An alliance would be more advantageous, in terms of funds and bond, among others, said Tupas.
As for the candidates for board members, Tupas said they will announce them soon.
Currently, the incumbent board members are Dr. Darl Tupas and Atty. Carol-V Espinosa-Diaz.
2ND DISTRICT
Meanwhile, Gorriceta and Defensor said their candidates in the 2nd District are almost ironed out, except for Santa Barbara and New Lucena.
Gorriceta said he chose incumbent Mayor Rema Somo as the official candidate of the NP in Santa Barbara while former mayor Dennis Superficial is the candidate of the PDP-Laban.
In New Lucena, the official candidate of the NP is incumbent Vice Mayor Jeffrey Araneta while incumbent Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville is the candidate of the PDP-Laban.
Gorriceta and Defensor are trying to reconcile the matter.
As to Alimodian, San Miguel, Pavia, Leganes, Zarraga, and Leon, the NP candidates are purely incumbent mayors, except for Alimodian and Zarraga.
The terms of mayors Geefrey Alonsabe (Alimodian) and John Tarrosa (Zarraga) are coming to an end.
NP’s candidates are incumbent vice mayors Ian Keneth Alfeche (Alimodian) and Jofel Marañon-Solvilla (Zarraga).
As for the congressman, Gorriceta said no candidate will be fielded in the second district and in any other districts as well.
“May pag-intindihanay na sa local nga indi na sia (Defensor) magpangontra sa akon. I presumed tanan nga distrito. Pero ginklaro niya nga indi na sia mag-organize pa sang local ‘ya nga candidates. Ugaling may nagakatuhaw nga indi magpaiway kag may ikasarang man, indi man mapunggan bisan wala si guv,” said Gorriceta./PN