Western Visayas Region remains in the grip of political clans.
Paolo Javier, scion of the Javier political clan, made a political comeback by winning the gubernatorial race in Antique on May 12 after his family suffered defeat in the 2019 elections.
Javier trounced his six rivals, including former Interior Secretary Jonathan Tan and Vice Gov. Edgar Denosta, with 104,876 votes.
Javier is the son of Exequiel Javier, who last served as governor in 2016 and lost a reelection bid in 2019. After completing his term as a district representative in 2019, he ran for governor but lost.
He is the nephew of Evelio Javier, then governor who was assassinated while guarding the votes for Corazon Aquino in the snap polls in 1986.
AA Legarda, half-brother of former Sen. Loren Legarda, was reelected to a second term as representative in Antique’s lone district.
In Iloilo province, Arthur Defensor Jr. — son of former governor and lawmaker Arthur Defensor Sr. — secured a third and final term as governor.
His brother Lorenz Defensor was reelected 3rd District representative. Janette Garin and Ferjenel Biron topped the congressional races in the 1st District and 4th District, respectively.
Garin’s husband Richard won reelection as mayor of Miagao town.
Biron’s son Bryant Paul, on the other hand, was reelected mayor of Barotac Nuevo town and his brother Braden mayor of Dumangas town.
Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta, wife of incumbent Rep. Arcadio Goricetta, clinched the congressional seat in the 2nd District, while Binky Montesclaros-Tupas won against her brother-in-law Niel Tupas Jr. in the 5th District.
In Iloilo City, Jam-Jam Baronda got elected to a last term as the city representative. Her sister Love-Love Baronda won as vice mayor alongside mayor-elect, Raisa Treñas-Chu, daughter of Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The common notion among the citizens is that the city is being led by women for the first time, yet they all come from political families.
In the component city of Passi, Stephen Palmares retained his position as mayor, contributing to the political stronghold of their family for over two decades.
In the province of Capiz, Oto Castro cruised to his second term as governor. He is the father of Mayor Maria Concepcion Castro of Dumalag town, and brother of Vice Mayor Fredenil Castro II, of the same town.
Oto’s wife Jane Castro won her reelection as 2nd District representative. Howard Guintu clinched the 1st District seat against Paolo Roxas, son of former Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.
In Roxas City, Mayor Ronnie Dadivas clinched a third and final term against his uncle-in-law Antonio del Rosario.
In the province of Aklan, Jose Enrique Miraflores secured his second term as governor. His father Gov. Florencio Miraflores defeated his cousin Teodorico Haresco Jr. to secure the 2nd District seat. The governor-elect’s brother Jose Miguel was elected mayor of Ibajay town.
In the island of Guimaras, Ma. Lucille Nava was elected governor while her husband Joaquin secured the lone congressional seat. In this year’s elections, the couple swapped positions. Joaquin’s brother Felipe Nava won a seat in the provincial board. — PCIJ.org