Tupas changes residency
Goodbye Btac. Viejo, Hello Banate
The town of Banate, Iloilo welcomed yesterday its latest resident in Governor Niel Tupas Sr. ending over 75 years of residency in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
Widely-seen as nothing but a political decision to widen the Tupas clout in Iloilo’s political landscape, the transfer was made official about 8:30 a.m.
This, as the governor filed for his transfer and registered as a voter of said town, establishing his residency here.
The governor maintains a family home in Jaro, Iloilo City and former hometown, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. With the Banate transfer came yet another home address in Barangay Juanico.
The governor’s transfer sealed longtime talks of a planned candidacy as the district’s Representative. As such, it is virtually a done-deal for an electoral bout between sure reelectionist Fourth District Representative Ferjenel Biron and Tupas.
The governor prior to his Capitol stint served as Representative of the Fifth District.
Latest Tupas move is expected to spell a full-court of Tupases in the 2010 elections.
The governor with his Banate residency is said to unseat Biron while the governor’s son, Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul Tupas is groomed as the next Iloilo governor. Another Tupas son, Niel Jr. will seek reelection as Fifth District Representative alongside a reelection or even a higher post for another family member Iloilo City Councilor Lex Tupas.
Talks also abound of a comeback for the governor’s wife, Myrna, former Barotac Viejo mayor and daughter Nielette. It was not clear though what posts are designed for the two Tupas women.