ILOILO CITY – It is a family clash for the fifth congressional district seat in northern Iloilo province.
ILOILO fifth district Rep. Raul “Boboy” Tupas (left), wife Provincial Board Member Binky Montesclaros-Tupas, and former Rep. Niel ‘Junjun’ Tupas Jr. (Boboy Tupas Facebook/Tara Yap)
Former Rep. Niel “Junjun” Tupas Jr. is running against his sister in-law, Provincial Board Member Binky Montesclaros-Tupas, the wife of younger brother, Rep. Congressman Raul “Boboy” Tupas.
“Ibalik naton ang original nga Tupas (Let’s bring back the original Tupas),” said Niel Jr. after filing his Certificate of Candidacy on Monday, October 7.
Niel Jr. was referring to his sister-in-law, who hails from Bukidnon province.
He noted that he was criticized when he decided to field his wife, Yvonne Angeli “Gel” Lee-Tupas, against Raul in the congressional race in the 2016 elections.
Niel Jr.’s wife, who is not from Iloilo, lost considerably to Raul in 2016.
He ran and lost twice to his brother Raul for congressman during the 2019 and 2022 elections.
Niel Jr. and his brother are the sons of former Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. who served for three consecutive terms from 2001 to 2010.
Rep. Raul is running again for vice governor, a position he held from 2013 to 2016.