Three Garins vie for same seat

TWO more members of the Garin clan filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the first district congressional seat on the last day of filing on Oct 17, 2018, kicking off a “Garin vs. Garin vs. Garin” fight for the 2019 midterm polls.

Former Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Janette Garin appeared at the Provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) Office in La Paz, Iloilo City minutes before the deadline of filing. She filed her COC for the first district representative under the Nacionalista Party (NP).

Later, her father-in-law and incumbent Guimbal town Mayor Oscar “Oca” Garin Sr. also filed his COC for the same post as an independent candidate.

Oscar Sr.’s son, incumbent first district Rep. Oscar Richard Garin Jr., filed his reelection bid on the first day of COC filing, Oct. 15, 2018. At first, he filed as an independent but he later submitted through his lawyer a certificate of nomination and acceptance from the ruling PDP-Laban party.

Richard is serving his second term as first congressman.

Oscar Sr. said they are still “fine-tuning” the situation and “evaluating each and every angle.”

“We are fine-tuning the situation. Nothing is very definite,” the elder Garin said.

“Damo pa sang matabo, damo nga mga bagay, many developments. Some of them unexpected, indi makasiguro,” he added.

When asked whether their candidacies for the similar position might confuse Garin supporters, Mayor Oca said, “Indi man guro, depende sa development.”

In an interview, incumbent Rep. Richard Garin described the first district as a “very democratic district”.

“We have to observe democratic process in selecting candidates,” Rep. Richard said.

In a press conference on Oct 18, Richard said the family would make a final decision on Nov 29, the last day for the substitution of candidates.

The Garins said they would eventually decide who would run for congressman and Guimbal mayor while the other will remain as a private citizen.

“There is no infighting in our family,” Richard said.

Vice Governor Christine Garin also assured that her support for her running mate, gubernatorial aspirant and fourth district Rep. Ferjenel Biron is still intact amid the interesting situation in their family and district.

The Garins will vie against former first district Board Member Gerardo “Gerry” Flores who filed his candidacy for congressman on Oct. 16, 2018.

“Nagpadalagan ako para may pilian man ang tawo,” Flores said.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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