ANOTHER POLL HEARTBREAK FOR JUN-JUN, TUPAS FAMILY

FOR THE second straight election, former congressman Niel “Jun-jun” Tupas Jr. failed to defeat his reelectionist younger brother Cong. Raul “Boboy” Tupas of Iloilo’s 5th District.

Three years ago in the May 2019 elections he was also beaten by Boboy, and six years ago in the May 2016 elections, Jun-jun’s wife Yvonne Angeli also lost to Raul.

Of course, losing is not the election result Jun-jun expected and worked hard for. Nevertheless, the former congressman – who served the 5th District for three consecutive three-year terms from 2007 to 2016 – took the result in stride. There is no shame in admitting defeat when one fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Will there be another “return bout” in the 2025 midterm elections? Frankly, it is painful to see the two estranged Tupas brothers – who used to be very close before their falling out in 2015 – fight. How we wish they would kiss and make up. It would serve the Tupas clan well if all family members are united, not fractured.

The two handsome brothers have not been on speaking terms since 2015 following Boboy’s decision to run against Jun-jun’s wife for congressman in the 2016 polls.

That year, Jun-jun was finishing his third and final consecutive term as congressman. He would have wanted wife Yvonne Angeli, a lawyer like him, to be his successor.

Ayon sa aming bubuwit, after defeating his sister-in-law in the congressional race in 2016, Boboy promised their father (the late Gov. Niel Sr.) and mother (former mayor Toto Myrna of Barotac Viejo) that he would try to reconcile their family and unite the people of the 5th District. Sadly, all these past six years, nothing positive happened. Well-meaning friends sincerely hope and pray that the Tupas siblings would someday let bygones be bygones. Because at the end of the day, family is family. Blood is thicker than politics. Or is it? Say mo, Inday Tweety? Rolex “dies-dies” laughing!