Guimbal, Iloilo Mayor Oscar Garin passes away

Guimbal, Iloilo Mayor Oscar Garin (photo from Guimbal government Facebook page)

ILOILO CITY, Philippines —Former Iloilo Rep. Oscar “Oca” Garin Sr., patriarch of one of the political clans in Iloilo, passed away on Sunday. He was 80.

Garin, incumbent mayor of their hometown Guimbal, has been confined for more than a week in a hospital in Iloilo and his family earlier confirmed that he was stricken with the COVID-19 disease.

“We lost a great man. (We) love you so much, Tatay. Always (and) Forever! Your legacy will live on…,” one of his daughters, Iloilo Vice Gov. Christine “Ting-Ting” Garin posted on her Facebook account.

Garin, a civil engineer, is considered one of the political kingpins in the province and his family has solidified their political clout in Iloilo’s first congressional district for decades.

Aside from serving multiple terms as mayor, Garin served as the representative of their congressional district for four terms (1987‐1992, 1992‐1995, 1995‐1998, 2001‐2004). He also served as Philippine Coconut Authority administrator.

His wife Ninfa is the mayor of San Joaquin town and his daughter-in-law, former Health secretary Janette Loreto-Garin is the current congressional representative.

Another daughter Sharon is AAMBIS‐OWA partylist representative while another daughter, Jennifer, is vice mayor of Guimbal.

His son and namesake Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr. also served as a congressman, mayor, provincial board member, and vice-governor.

/MUF