Ilonggo power clans rule in the polls
Virtual sweep for the Garins in the First District. Total victory for the Syjucos in the Second District. Easy win for the Defensors in the Third District. Emerging control for the Birons in the Fourth District. And renewed domination for the Tupases in the Fifth District.
Ilonggo power clans ruled and ruled big in Monday's polls as electorate in the province's 1,721 barangays cast votes in an elections decried by the Church to have been marked with massive vote-buying.
Mostly administration-backed candidates with the exception of the camp of Governor Niel Tupas Sr., logistics, machinery, strategy and over-all might strengthened in years of politics proved handy for the no-surprise victories of these powerful political figures in Iloilo's political arena.
Virtual sweep for the Garins in the First District
The Garins are headed by family patriarch, Oscar "Oca" Garin, undefeated mayor and congressman in Southern Iloilo. On record as Oca's only defeat in politics was the gubernatorial fight against Governor Niel Tupas Sr in 2004. He has since made a big comeback in government service as Presidential Adviser and administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). Under the Garin's undeniable influence are the lives of some 188,100 voters and their families covering the district's 420 barangays of Guimbal, Igbaras, Miag-ao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan and Tubungan.
Monday's results sealed this loyalty anew as daughter Christine "Tingting" Serag-Garin became the next mayor in Guimbal, having run unopposed thus ensuring her victory and take-over of the town's governance from eldest brother Richard.
Richard on the other hand, albeit running late as district board member easily got back his seat in the Capitol with a comeback certain in the partnership with Garin-backed Macario "Doc Mac" Napulan. "Teamwork" was the battlecry of Richard with Napulan, a political protégée of his father.
San Joaquin will also have a repeat on the governance of Ninfa Serag-Garin, wife of Administrator Oca. A former solon herself and mayor of Guimbal, Mayor Ninfa put up a strong personal fight to regain her seat against her brother, former Mayor Sebastian "Bastek" Serag. Ultimately, the Garin machinery and charisma proved overwhelming over the Bastek magic.
The three family victories are topped with the reelection of daughter-in-law, Janette Loreto-Garin as First District Congresswoman. "Tested and Proven" went her battlecry that garnered her an overwhelming lead over opponent, longtime family political foe, retired police general, Miag-ao Mayor Gerardo Flores.
Total victory for the Syjucos in the Second District
Power-couple Secretary Augusto "Boboy" Syjuco, Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and wife, Congresswoman Judy Jalbuena-Syjuco scored big anew in Iloilo's Second District.
With 152,592 registered voters in 301 barangays, eight towns here showed again that the Syjuco influence remains strong and solid. In fact, data gathered here had Congresswoman Judy set a political record in terms of election results, placing the towns of Alimodian, Leganes and Zarraga as top three Syjuco strongholds.
Monday's polls proved just that despite the controversy generated by the sudden change of allegiance and heart of a Syjuco strategist. The couple's critics then had a dim forecast of what was purported as the beginning of Syjuco's end in the district.
Election returns dispelled such in an overwhelming turn-out of command votes for the reelection bid of the lady solon and mayors backed by the power-couple.
"Iloy sang Segundo Distrito" (Mother of Second District) came the tag for the soft-spoken and always gentle congresswoman. Total lead garnered by Congresswoman Judy from the eight Second District towns was placed at 20,763.
The Syjuco appeal extended to support sought for Alimodian reelectionist Mayor Juanito Alipao who won by a 3,280 margin over his opponents, Leon Mayor Romulo Cabana of Leon who won by 3,303 votes, Leganes Mayor Adolf Jaen who won by 531 votes, Mayor Liezel Mondejar of New Lucena by 2,425 votes, San Miguel Mayor Gregorio Villarico who won by 473 votes, Sta. Barbara Mayor Isabelo Maquino who won by 4,845 votes, Mayor Rigor Brazas who won by 2,527 in Zarraga and Arcadio Gorriceta of Pavia who ran unopposed.
Easy win for the Defensors in the Third District
Lives of 201,831 registered voters and their families in Iloilo's Third District towns are directly affected by the governance of Congressman Arthur Defensor Sr. From the 427 barangays of Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Januiay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina and Pototan , Congressman Defensor Sr. will now be joined by his son, Arthur Defensor Jr., incoming provincial board member representing the Third District in serving the district's needs.
The Defensor tandem here brings with them the victories of Defensor-backed candidates of said town's councilorables, vice mayorables and mayorables.
Defensor Jr.'s teammate, Maasin Mayor Mar Malones continues to garner a steady lead as the trend showed in the canvass of election returns.
Incumbent Board Member Manny Gallar yesterday decried reported fraud in the counting of the returns in Maasin as he called for legal assistance. Gallar's first and successful bid in public office was then ensured with the backing and support of Congressman Defensor.
Emerging control for the Birons in the Fourth District.
In the Fourth District, towns of Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dumangas, Dueñas, Passi City and San Enrique and its 197,513 registered voters will continue to see the governance of Congressman Ferjinel Biron.
With victory ensured even at the early hours of counting since Monday's polls, Congressman Biron will now be officially joined in government service by family members.
This, as father Hernan Biron made it as incoming mayor of Barotac Nuevo who took-over the candidacy of his wife Diana. The Congressman's younger brother will also be the incoming vice mayor of Dumangas.
Same victory for Biron-backed candidates in eight towns with the elections here said to have elicited the biggest amounts given to voters in a reported vote-buying spree that had P300 to P1,000 distributed here.
And renewed domination for the Tupases in the Fifth District.
Iloilo will have another three-year term of Governor Niel Tupas Sr. at the helm of the Provincial Government. This, as Tupas got an overwhelming lead that practically secured his spot at the Capitol.
Alongside Tupas Sr. is Tupas Jr. who is also showing leads in the congressional fight in Northern Iloilo's Fifth District.
In Barotac Viejo, Tupas son Raul will continue to be the town's mayor as he ran unopposed here.
Town councilors, vice mayors and mayors who were mostly Tupas-backed also got the same victory even if the family is with the opposition.
Fifth District towns include Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, San Rafael and Sara with a total of 201,344 registered voters and 301 barangays.
Tupas Sr. has since been hounded with corruption issues and was in fact ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman twice however legal battle managed to have a stay on said dismissal orders.
With Tupas Sr.'s victory comes the clean sweep as well of his administrative cases mostly due to graft charges that will now be rendered moot and academic. Only the criminal aspects of these cases will be resolved which will take years if ever pursued by the government.