“Blood is thicker than water,” a familiar quote that usually refers to family bonds as stronger than other loyalties.
Now the adage could be stretched to “politics is thicker than blood.” Consider how, not a few from among our local politicians have been conducting themselves election after election.
Even before the passing of the former Iloilo governor Niel Tupas the paths of sons Niel Jr. and Raul have diverged. In 2016 then Iloilo 5th district Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. who was on his third term and therefore ineligible for reelection put up his wife as candidate for the position.
By then younger brother Raul wouldn’t be denied his long-held insistence that he were slated to be the next representative after the term of Niel Jr. expires.
The showdown did happen. Raul won and now vows to seek his third term next year even if it meant running opposite his older brother again.
Across the Iloilo strait at the island province of Guimaras the spectacle of brother against brother for the governorship next year is defined clearer each day.
Older brother Rahman Nava is being endorsed to run again for governor. So is younger brother Felipe. Each has a set of supporters – distinct and common.
Counted among their common followers are friends and family in the 5 municipalities. The partisan divide counts among the distinct support for either of the two brothers.
Rahman and Felipe have been politically estranged since the 2013 elections but the year 2022 could be a watershed of animosity if both decided to run for governor.
On another level, politics is thicker than blood.
Last week it was reported that the incumbent Rep. Braeden John Biron has transferred his voting registration from Barotac Nuevo to Dumangas.
So did former Rep. Richard Garin who migrated his voting registration from hometown Guimbal to Miagao. Did these transfers of residence to other towns by a family member imply a semblance of clan discord?
Definitely not. Not the Birons, nor the Garins. Neither even with the Cayetanos of Taguig, and scores of other family dynasties elsewhere in the country.
Politics is simply thicker.*
