ILOILO CITY – Tensions were high after an emotional exchange between Mayor Ninfa Serag-Garin and Vice Mayor Mayor Marvigrace Getuya-Lago of San Joaquin town, Iloilo province.
A VIDEO grab of the heated exchange between Mayor Ninfa Serag-Garin and Vice Mayor Mayor Marvigrace Getuya-Lago of San Joaquin town, Iloilo province on Thursday, October 3. (Contributed)
Based on videos circulating online, Garin allegedly went to Lago after she and her group filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) on Thursday, October 3.
“Sin-o ikaw? Sin-o ikaw kang una? (Who are you? Who are you before?),” Garin said in the video.
“Ngaa ga palagyo ka nakon haw? Bastos ka karon ah! (Why are you running away from me? You are disrespectful!)” Garin added.
“Intiendihan ta ikaw, Mayor (I understand you, Mayor),” Lago responded.
This was the latest in the family conflict between Garin and Lago over the plot of land where a hospital managed by the Department of Health (DOH) stands.
The Getuya family wanted to revoke the donation for the land where the extension hospital of the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) was built.
Last June, the vice mayor’s mother, Vilma Getuya, blocked the entrance of the hospital facility in an attempt to take over the property.
The vice mayor’s mother also had a heated exchange with former DOH Secretary and incumbent first district Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin, who is the daughter-in-law of Rep. Garin.
Mayor Garin and Rep. Garin maintained that the Getuyas cannot legally takeover a government property without a court order.
At 80-years-old, Mayor Garin is not running for any elective position in the May 2025 elections.
Mayor Garin previously served as congresswoman and provincial board member.