Pandemic ends political feud between Nava siblings in Guimaras

ILOILO CITY––The COVID-19 pandemic may be devastating. But for some, it helps mend broken relationships.

On Guimaras Island, the pandemic has helped bring to an end the decade-old political animosity between former Guimaras representative Joaquin Carlos Nava and his younger brother and former governor Felipe “Nene” Nava.

The brothers are running together under the same slate in the May 2022 elections, with the elder Nava running for governor and Felipe running for a seat in the provincial board.

The Nava brothers, both physicians, have been at odds shortly after the 2010 elections but avoided running against each other.

Felipe said his hospitalization due to COVID-19 was one factor that led to their reconciliation.

“But a big factor is our love for our mother and the realization that it is not good if we keep on fighting. Family first,” he told reporters on Oct. 6 in Guimaras after they filed their certificates of candidacy.

But in the 5th district of Iloilo, Rep. Raul “Boboy” Tupas, who is seeking reelection, will square off for the second time with his elder brother and former representative Niel “Junjun” Tupas Jr.

The schism between the brothers erupted shortly before the 2016 elections after Niel Jr. supported his wife Yvonne Angeli Lee-Tupas to replace him as representative of the district.

Raul defeated his sister-in-law in the 2016 elections and his elder brother in the 2019 elections for the same post.

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