For the Garins, Iloilo’s 1st District is a Family Affair Since 1987

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

(This story is part of a series of election reports examining political dynasties in Western Visayas.)

Since 1987 — or nearly four decades — the congressional seat of the 1st district of Iloilo has been an exclusive affair for the Garin family, passed between spouses and children as if it were a family heirloom.

When the district was re-created in February 1987, following the ratification of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Oscar Garin paved the way for his family to establish a formidable grip on the 1st district.

Oscar, widely known as “Oca,” held the congressional seat for three consecutive terms from 1987 to 1998. His tenure set the foundation for what would become an unbroken chain of family succession.

When Oca’s term ended, his wife, Ninfa Garin, assumed the seat. She served a single term before Oca reclaimed the position in 2001.

Following his departure from Congress in 2004, political control shifted to the next generation, with Janette Loreto Garin, wife of their son, Richard Garin, taking the helm for three terms.

Janette served for three terms from 2004 to 2013, before handing the position to Richard, who held it for two terms from 2013 to 2019.

While the congressional seat was with her husband, Janette served as secretary of the Department of Health from 2015 to 2016 under President Benigno Aquino III. She resigned in 2016 amid controversies surrounding the Dengvaxia vaccination program.

Her husband, who only served for two terms, gave way for her to sit again in the congressional seat. Janette held the post again in 2019 and she is seeking a last and final term in the midterm elections.

If Janette wins, it will bring the Garin family’s control of the 1st district to an unprecedented 41 years.

FROM ONE GARIN TO ANOTHER

The Garin family of the 1st district is the most decorated political dynasty in Iloilo, is the most entrenched political dynasty in Iloilo, having the largest number of family members serving in Congress, the provincial government, and across towns within their district.

The family’s patriarch served as mayor of Guimbal from 2016 to 2021. He passed away on September 26, 2021, at the age of 80 due to complications from COVID-19.

After serving as district representative from 1998 to 2001, Ninfa was elected as a provincial board member from 2001 to 2010. Following in her husband’s footsteps, she also held local office and has been the mayor of San Joaquin, Iloilo’s southernmost town, since 2016.

Their son Richard served as vice governor of Iloilo from 2010 to 2013 before moving to the House of the Representatives, where he served two terms from 2013 to 2019. He later became mayor of Miagao and is currently seeking a second term.

Richard’s sister, Christine, was mayor of Guimbal from 2007 to 2016—a position later taken over by their father. Christine also followed in her brother’s footsteps, serving as vice governor of Iloilo from 2016 to 2025.

As Christine completes her term, she is returning to the town where she was baptized in politics. She is running as vice mayor of Guimbal in this year’s elections.

Sharon, another Garin sibling, served in the Congress from 2010 to 2022 as a representative of the AAMBIS-Owa Party List, a party who claims to advocate for agricultural policies and support for the farming community.

After her congressional stint, she was appointed as an undersecretary of the Department of Energy.

Jennifer Garin-Colada, another sibling, served as vice mayor of Guimbal from 2016 to 2021. After two terms, she moved up to become the town’s mayor in 2021. She is currently seeking reelection.

Jennifer’s husband, Lex Anthony Colada, has also benefited from the family’s political influence. He currently serves as the representative of the AAMBIS-Owa Party List in Congress.

THE NEW POLITICAL HEIRS

The Garin family’s political influence continues with a new generation of candidates vying for positions in the 2025 midterm elections.

Rica Jane Garin, daughter of Richard and Janette, is making a name for herself by seeking a seat on the provincial board.

Val Serag, Ninfa’s nephew, served as vice mayor of San Joaquin from 2013 to 2016 before being elected as a provincial board member in 2016.

As his aunt prepares to exit office and he completes his term as provincial board member, Val now seeks to take over the mayoral post of San Joaquin.

As the Garins prepare for yet another electoral cycle, voters in the 1st district face a familiar choice. The question remains: will they opt for continuity under a long-standing political dynasty, or will they seek new leadership outside the family’s influence?