Iloilo, Guimaras politics simmer

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

The political cauldrons in Iloilo and Guimaras are starting to boil five months before the filing of candidacies in October 2021.

Former Iloilo first district congressman Richard Garin has transferred his voter’s registration to Miag-ao town last May 5, 2021.

Commission on Election records indicated that Garin’s new address is Kirayan Sur village.

Daily Guardian is still trying to get Garin’s side as to his plans for the 2022 elections.

Earlier, it was reported that Richard was transferring his registration to San Joaquin where his mother Ninfa is mayor.

Garin’s transfer follows on the heels of reports that Iloilo 4^th district Rep. Braeden John Biron moved from their hometown Barotac Nuevo to Dumangas.

Dumangas municipal election officer Fralyn Marfori confirmed with Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo that Rep. Biron indeed transferred his voter’s registration to their town.

Rep. Biron’s move jives with reports that his father, Dr. Ferjenel Biron, is aiming to reclaim the 4^th district congressional seat.

Apparently, Rep. BJ Biron’s transfer has implications to the political future of second term Dumangas Mayor Ronaldo “Onal” Golez as the congressman could also run for mayor in May 2022.

But in an interview with Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo, Golez said there is zero chance that he will run against the Birons in Dumangas.

Golez said he and Dr. Biron had discussed the congressman’s transfer to their town.

“It’s possible that they have plans for Congressman BJ. If he runs for his second term, he can do so because Dumangas is still in the 4^th district. He can also run for a provincial post or even in Dumangas itself,” he added.

Amid talks that he might break ties with the Biron next year, Golez said consultation is key to changes in the district’s political landscape.

“That is the process of Congressman Ferj Biron. We talk and whatever the leadership and majority decide on, we abide. We will stand as one,” the mayor said.

 

BROTHER VS BROTHER

Meanwhile, majority of mayors in Guimaras are egging on former governor and congressman JC Rahman Nava to run for governor as incumbent Samuel Gumarin is serving his last term.

Nava’s group initially eyed incumbent Vice Governor John Edward Gando as their standard bearer but Buenavista town Mayor Eugene Reyes said they prefer the former governor to run instead.

The main motivation in the call of Guimaras mayors is the decision of former governor Felipe Hilan Nava to run again for his old post.

Rahman and Felipe are brothers, but they have been estranged because of politics.

Jordan town mayor Ruben Corpus told Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo that Gando’s winnability is an issue, thus it is ideal that he run for his third term as vice governor under Rahman’s ticket.

Reyes said they believe that Rahman is the right person to solve the province’s problems amid the pandemic.

When reached via phone, Gando said he will refrain from commenting on the matter as the party will first address all concerns within the group.

“The party will address this internally. Let’s wait until October for any development. As far as I am concerned, no one has been authorized yet by the leadership of our party to speak on anything about the affairs or strategy of the party, much less, to speak for and on behalf of the party,” Gando said.