Junjun Tupas’ Most Painful Fall

By Alex P. Vidal 

“Eastward and westward storms are breaking,–great, ugly whirlwinds of hatred and blood and cruelty. I will not believe them inevitable.” ― W.E.B. Du Bois

THE big political news in Iloilo Province following the May 12, 2025 election was not the defeat of Raul “Boboy” Tupas to the “darling of the Gen Z”, Lee Ann Debuque, in the vice gubernatorial combat.

It was the fall of Neil “Junjun” Tupas Jr. (NPC), who was bludgeoned by his own sister-in-law, Binky Tupas (Lakas) in the fifth district congressional tussle.

Losing to a brother was painful. Losing to a brother’s wife must be double the pain.

Junjun, penciled to become a senator after a scintillating performance during the Erap Estrada impeachment trial in 2007, was supposed to reclaim the post after his younger brother, Boboy, trounced him for the same position in 2019.

He suffered yet his most painful political loss at the hands of Binky.

Now that their parents—Neil Sr. and Myrna Causing Tupas—are gone, Jujun, as the eldest, was expected to carry the clan’s political flag in the future political collision vis-à-vis Iloilo’s other powerful political dynasties.

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Junjun previously held the position for three terms, from 2007 to 2016. Binky, a one-term board member, sought the congressional post vacated by her term-limited husband, Boboy.

Junjun had boasted that “anyone can run and anyone can [carry] the name Tupas, but there is only one true-blooded Tupas that will run in the Congress and that is me… We are very confident of victory in this election.”

In 2016, Junjun’s wife, Yvonne Angeli, also a lawyer, also lost against Boboy, a PMA graduate, in the fifth district congressional race.

Binky campaigned for the continuation of Boboy’s projects, emphasizing that she will bring a God-and people-centered governance.

An architect by profession, Binky vowed to push for legislation that would maximize the tourism potential of the 5th District.

Binky was proclaimed the winning candidate by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with majority of votes garnered from the towns of Carles, Lemery, Balasan, Estancia, Auy, Sara, Barotac Viejo, Conception, Balasan, San Dionisio, and Batad.

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Tax season can be overwhelming. Scammers may take advantage by promising a big tax refund or threatening taxpayers.

“Don’t be fooled by their schemes,” Citibank warned us in an email.

These are common tax scams and frauds to look out for:

-A larger-than-expected return. Watch out for offers of large tax refunds because they may not be legitimate. Use trusted sources like irs.​gov or a licensed tax preparer to calculate your return.

-Disaster relief fraud. Assistance exists for those affected by disasters but be careful when accepting help. Be sure to get your information from verified sources like the IRS and the Tax-Exempt Organization Search at the irs.​gov.

-Tax preparer fraud. Using a tax preparer can save you time and energy but be alert. Use a reputable tax professional with a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Never sign a blank tax form. Review your return in full before authorizing the preparer to file it and always get a copy for your records.

-Digital communications scams (social media, texts and emails). Free bad advice is everywhere! Be careful when clicking links on social media, in emails or text messages as they can put your device at risk. Always verify recipients’ contact information before sending money to anyone.

-Unexpected tax bill. The IRS will never call you to demand a payment. It’s especially suspect if they ask you to send money with a specific payment method. If your bill is higher than expected or comes by surprise, contact the IRS through a trusted channel. You should also report IRS impersonations at irs.​gov.

I have been advised to “Stay vigilant to protect your account. Bookmark our site, ci‍ti.‍com/fraudprevention, and visit often for the latest updates on common scams and how to spot them. If you think you may have been targeted for a scam, report it at ht‍tps‍://‍report‍fraud‍.ftc‍.gov/”

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TOP 20 WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: 1. Bananas, 2. Apples 3. Carrots 4. Tomatoes 5. Iceberg Lettuce 6. Oranges 7. Broccoli 8. Grapes 9. Winter Squash 10. Onions 11. Pears 12. Watermelon 13. Peaches 14. Spinach 15. Zucchini 16. Cauliflower 17. Strawberries 18. Cabbage 19. Cucumber 20. Cantaloupe. (Source: Produce Retailer)

LAST SEASONAL FRUITS. Fresh cherries are one of the few items in the produce department that don’t have year-round availability. Imports start in November and run through January from Chile, then pick back up in May from California and end in late August or early September from the North-west and British Columbia. There can be as much as 5 to 6 months with no fresh cherry availability.

FOR WOMEN. Zinc improves mood in women. Oysters (talaba) are a great source of zinc. According to London-based Dr. John Biriffa, there is some evidence that links zinc deficiency with an enhanced risk of depression. Treatment with zinc improved mood to some extent, he said.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)