By MELVIN PURZUELO
Green Forum – Western Visayas
ILOILO CITY. — The May 10 elections saw the clash of political dynasties in this city, leading to the downfall of the powerful Gonzalez family.
Former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr., known here as the “King,” lost the mayoralty contest to Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog while his son, Rep. Raul Jr., failed in his reelection bid against Mayor Jerry Treñas.
“Nobody should now presume himself king here,” said Mayor Treñas.
The reign of the Gonzalez family began in 1995 when Raul Sr. first won the lone city congressional seat. The position was passed on to Raul Jr. in 2004 when his father was appointed Justice Secretary by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
On the other hand, the Garins of the First District of Iloilo Province emerged victorious in the last elections. While the patriarch, former congressman and Philippine Coconut Administration (PCA) Administrator Oscar Garin did not run for any position, at least five members of their clan won in the local race.
Wife Ninfa was reelected mayor of San Joaquin, while daughter Christine and daughter-in-law Janette ran unopposed in their re-election bids as mayor of Guimbal and representative of the First District, respectively.
Son Richard, a board member, won by a landslide as vice governor of Iloilo. Daughter Sharon is the first nominee of the party-list AAMBIS that garnered more than 300,000 votes and thus assured of at least one slot in Congress.
It’s a double win for the Defensors of the province’s third district. Rep. Arthur Defensor Sr. was elected governor while his son, board member Arthur Jr., would take over his seat in Congress.
In the fourth district, it’s a triple treat for the Birons. Rep. Ferjenel Biron and his father, Barotac Nuevo Mayor Hernan Biron Sr. , were both reelected. Brother Hernan Jr. also won as board member of the fourth district.
For the Tupases, it’s a four-win-two-loss scorecard. Patriarch and incumbent Governor Niel Tupas Sr. lost to Biron as Fourth District congressman while his son, Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul “Buboy” Tupas, lost to Defensor in the gubernatorial contest.
However, Tupas’ four sons were winners in the recent elections — Niel Jr. as Fifth District congressman for a second term; Niel III, mayor of Barotac Viejo; Nielo, board member; and Nielex, Iloilo City councilor. His son-in-law, Parly Balleza, was also elected Sangguniang Bayan member of Barotac Viejo.