Junjun Tupas’ most painful fall

“Eastward and westward storms are breaking,--great, ugly whirlwinds of hatred and blood and cruelty. I will not believe them inevitable.”

― W.E.B. Du Bois

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE big political news in Iloilo Province following the May 12, 2025 election was not the defeat of Raul “Boboy” Tupas to the “darling of the Gen Z”, Lee Ann Debuque, in the vice gubernatorial combat.

It was the fall of Neil “Junjun” Tupas Jr. (NPC), who was bludgeoned by his own sister-in-law, Binky Tupas (Lakas) in the fifth district congressional tussle.

Losing to a brother was painful. Losing to a brother’s wife must be double the pain.

Junjun, penciled to become a senator after a scintillating performance during the Erap Estrada impeachment trial in 2007, was supposed to reclaim the post after his younger brother, Boboy, trounced him for the same position in 2019.

He suffered yet his most painful political loss at the hands of Binky.

Now that their parents—Neil Sr. and Myrna Causing Tupas—are gone, Jujun, as the eldest, was expected to carry the clan’s political flag in the future political collision vis-à-vis Iloilo’s other powerful political dynasties.

 

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Junjun previously held the position for three terms, from 2007 to 2016. Binky, a one-term board member, sought the congressional post vacated by her term-limited husband, Boboy.

Junjun had boasted that “anyone can run and anyone can [carry] the name Tupas, but there is only one true-blooded Tupas that will run in the Congress and that is me…. We are very confident of victory in this election.”

In 2016, Junjun’s wife, Yvonne Angeli, also a lawyer also lost against Boboy, a PMA graduate, in the fifth district congressional race.

Binky campaigned for the continuation of Boboy’s projects, emphasizing that she will bring a God-and people-centered governance.

An architect by profession, Binky vowed to push for legislation that would maximize the tourism potential of the 5th District.

Binky was proclaimed the winning candidate by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with majority of votes garnered from the towns of Carles, Lemery, Balasan, Estancia, Ajuy, Sara, Barotac Viejo, Conception, Balasan, San Dionisio, and Batad.

 

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Tax season can be overwhelming. Scammers may take advantage by promising a big tax refund or threatening taxpayers.

“Don't be fooled by their schemes,” Citibank warned us in an email.

These are common tax scams and frauds to look out for:

-A larger-than-expected return. Watch out for offers of large tax refunds because they may not be legitimate. Use trusted sources like irs. gov or a licensed tax preparer to calculate your return.

-Disaster relief fraud. Assistance exists for those affected by disasters but be careful when accepting help. Be sure to get your information from verified sources like the IRS and the Tax-Exempt Organization Search at the irs. gov.

-Tax preparer fraud. Using a tax preparer can save you time and energy but be alert. Use a reputable tax professional with a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Never sign a blank tax form. Review your return in full before authorizing the preparer to file it and always get a copy for your records.

-Digital communications scams (social media, texts and emails). Free bad advice is everywhere! Be careful when clicking links on social media, in emails or text messages as they can put your device at risk. Always verify recipients' contact information before sending money to anyone.

-Unexpected tax bill. The IRS will never call you to demand a payment. It's especially suspect if they ask you to send money with a specific payment method. If your bill is higher than expected or comes by surprise, contact the IRS through a trusted channel. You should also report IRS impersonations at irs. gov.

I have been advised to “Stay vigilant to protect your account. Bookmark our site, ci‍ti.‍com/fraudprevention, and visit often for the latest updates on common scams and how to spot them. If you think you may have been targeted for a scam, report it at ht‍tps‍://‍report‍fraud‍.ftc‍.gov/“

 

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TOP 20 WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: 1. Bananas, 2. Apples 3. Carrots 4. Tomatoes 5. Iceberg Lettuce 6. Oranges 7. Broccoli 8. Grapes 9. Winter Squash 10. Onions 11. Pears 12. Watermelon 13. Peaches 14. Spinach 15. Zucchini 16. Cauliflower 17. Strawberries 18. Cabbage 19. Cucumber 20. Cantaloupe. (Source: Produce Retailer)

LAST SEASONAL FRUITS. Fresh cherries are one of the few items in the produce department that don't have year-round availability. Imports start in November and run through January from Chile, then pick back up in May from California and end in late August or early September from the North-west and British Columbia. There can be as much as 5 to 6 months with no fresh cherry availability.

FOR WOMEN. Zinc improves mood in women. Oysters (talaba) are a great source of zinc. According to London-based Dr. John Biriffa, there is some evidence that links zinc deficiency with an enhanced risk of depression. Treatment with zinc improved mood to some extent, he said.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

A matter of life and death

“Everything I like is either illegal, immoral or fattening.”

—Alexander Woollcott

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT seems some Filipinos think there are only two “easy” ways to wiggle out from poverty or become instant millionaire: get elected in a public office and engage in trafficking of illegal drugs.

These two “income-generating schemes” have become a matter of life and death for some of those involved in politics and narcotrafficking.

This explains why politicians kill each other during elections while drug syndicates murder people in horrifying degree and spend billions of pesos to bribe and “silence” police scalawags and high-ranking government officials.

Corrupt politicians holding executive and legislative positions in government are sometimes equivalent to drug lords in terms of the volumes of money they siphon from the taxpayers and contractors to their pockets. 

Drug lords, of course, amass unimaginable amount of wealth from the sale of illegal drugs.

For instance, approximately US$374 million or P21.43 billion worth of illegal drugs were reportedly seized by the Philippine government in 2024, representing a 32 percent increase compared to seizures in 2023.

The illegal drugs industry isn’t peanuts, and the figure reflects only the drugs seized and not the total value of the trade.

 

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On the other hand, elective positions in Philippine government for 2025 and their corresponding salary, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

National: Senator–SG 31 (starts at P285,813); Senate President–SG 32 (starts at P339,921); House of Representatives Member–SG 31 (starts at P285,813); House Speaker–SG 32 (starts at P339,921)

Local: Provincial Governor–SG 30 (starts at P196,199); Provincial Vice Governor–SG 28 (starts at P154,320); Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member–SG 27 (starts at P136,893); City Mayor–SG 30 (starts at P196,199); Municipal Mayor II–SG 28 (starts at P154,320); Municipal Mayor I–SG 27 (starts at P136,893); Municipal Vice Mayor II – SG 26 (starts at P121,146).

Municipal Vice Mayor I–SG 25 (starts at P107,208); Vice Mayor II – SG 28 (starts at P154,320); Vice Mayor I – SG 26 (starts at P121,146); Sangguniang Panlungsod Member II – SG 27 (starts at P136,893); Sangguniang Panlungsod Member I – SG 25 (starts at P107,208); Sangguniang Bayan Member II – SG 25 (starts at P107, 208); Sangguniang Bayan Member I – SG 24 (starts at P94,132)

Compared to higher-level government positions, serving as a barangay official may not be as financially rewarding.

 

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Their compensation primarily consists of honoraria, with the punong barangay receiving P1,000 per month and the sangguniang barangay members, barangay secretary, barangay treasurer, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman earning P600 per month each.

These minimum rates may be increased to a maximum rate equivalent to the first step of the following SGs being implemented by the city or municipality where the barangay belongs:

Punong Barangay–SG 14 (P35,434); Sangguniang Barangay Members, Barangay Secretary, Barangay Treasurer, SK Chairman–SG 10 (P24,381).

The midterm elections were held on May 12, 2025. Overseas Filipinos voted from April 13 to May 12, while local absentees—AFP, the Philippine National Police, and media practitioners—voted from April 28 to 30.

There will be a total of 18,272 national and local political positions in the 2025 elections, which is an increase of 200 positions compared to the 2022 polls, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

 

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I received a second email this month from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, which she also sent to other New Yorkers: Alex, What do you do when families are hurting, bills are piling up, and groceries seem to cost more every single week?

If you’re the Governor of New York, you fight like hell to put money back in people’s pockets.

That’s exactly what I’ve done in my budget. I cut taxes for the middle class, expanded New York’s child tax credit, made school meals free for every student, and created New York’s first-ever Inflation Refund.

Every day, I hear from New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet — a young family stretching every dollar for groceries, a senior making the impossible choice between paying for medicine or the heating bill, a teacher working nights just to make the rent.

This is personal to me. I grew up watching my mom make spam sandwiches to feed our family of eight. And as a young mom, I remember sitting at my kitchen table looking at the growing stack of bills, driving to discount warehouses, and hoping one cart of groceries would last a month. Those memories stay with you. So when I say your family is my fight, I mean it. I’ve lived it and know what you’re going through.

That’s why I made affordability the cornerstone of my new State Budget. I vowed to pass a sweeping affordability agenda with one simple goal: Putting money back in your pockets.

I proposed something no New York Governor has ever done before: An Inflation Refund. Up to $400 for families and up to $200 for individuals. And we got it done.

Thanks to our budget, 8.2 million New York households will get Inflation Refunds this fall — including 3.5 million in New York City.

Beginning in October, checks will be mailed directly to eligible New Yorkers. There’s no application or signing up – if you qualify, you’ll get your check automatically. No red tape, no hoops to jump through, just money directly back in your pocket.

This is for the people who make New York work. We see you. We value you. And we’re putting money back in your pocket.

Our Inflation Refund is just one piece of my comprehensive affordability agenda. I’m cutting taxes for the middle class to their lowest level in 70 years. I’m expanding New York’s child tax credit to up to $1,000 per child. I’m making school meals free for every student in New York, saving families around $1,600 per year.

And it doesn’t stop there. Because I’ll never stop fighting to make New York safer and more affordable. Ever Upward, Gov. Kathy Hochul

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of local leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

 

Forget yes; forgive not yet?

“I will reach out to the world from the corner of my little space and no devil can stop me from fulfilling this purpose.”

―Daniel Anikor

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF we’re sure winners in the recent Philippine elections, we’re supposed to start reaching out to our political rivals by initiating the first move.

Even before the Comelec has officially proclaimed all the victors, at least there must be a semblance of hope that election protagonists are willing to smoke the proverbial peace pipe however difficult at this moment to forgive and forget.

While we understand that being emotionally wounded can mark a difficult time in a politician’s life given that the uncertainty that comes along with a painful event (ditto the hurting words unleashed during the heated campaign period) often leaves one wondering if the ache will ever end, the election fever is over whether we like it or not.

We have all heard the saying, "Time heals all wounds." While this statement may be motivated by good intentions, we believe it's not always an easy concept to grasp for others.

Often, the heartache of the moment weighs so heavily upon them that they cannot see past the pain. We get it.

 

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The campaign period was contentious and really mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting and stressful, but good leaders are always magnanimous in victory and gracious.

Without humility, no real success can be possible. We can’t lead people, without first being able to admit our mistakes and shortcomings.

It is said that most leaders have an abundance of ambition, talent, and confidence, but few possess the humility necessary to sustain influence over time.

Although many leaders typically have shunned humility because they saw it as a sign of weakness or self-doubt, it will not hurt if winning leaders initiate the first move to offer the olive branch.

Some of those victorious characters felt they have to be right on everything. After all, they were in charge. Their character and personality tended to go down this similar path.

They found themselves trying to maintain self-preservation and felt if they admitted fault that they might be viewed or perceived as weak leaders.

That is not always the case because when they were sincerely humble, they discovered they gained respect, loyalty and wisdom.

 

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I received an email from New York Governor Kathy Hochul which she also sent to other New Yorkers: Alex, It’s no secret that cell phones are distracting kids in schools across the country. Young people are constantly dealing with never-ending pressure and stress — from how they look, to whether their clothes are cool, or if they’re being excluded from a party. How can they possibly focus in class with all that on their minds and constant notifications buzzing in their pockets?

That’s why back in January, I proposed bell-to-bell restrictions on cell phones in New York schools. I knew we had to put an end to these digital distractions and give kids their childhood back.

I’m proud to say: We got it done.

New York is now the largest state in the country to enact statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on cell phones in K-12 schools. Starting this fall:

Students will be required to put smartphones away and out of sight –not just during homeroom or lunch, but for the entire school day

Schools will be empowered to develop their own implementation plans and can utilize new funding to purchase solutions to help them go distraction-free

Parents will still be able to contact their child during the day if they need to. And in the case of an emergency, law enforcement experts have made it clear that students are safer when they’re focused on the direction of trained adults – not distracted by their phones.

For many students and parents, these policies are nothing new: Schools throughout New York have already implemented similar measures, and they’ve been transformative:

I’ll never back down when it comes to what’s best for our children, because your family is my fight. I said that on day one, and I mean it just as much today.

We’ve protected our children before – from cigarettes to alcohol and drunk driving. Now, we’re taking action again by protecting them from the challenges of addictive technology. Ever Upward, Gov. Kathy Hochul 

 

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CALORIES AND SEX.The more intense the sex, the more calories are burnt: up to 10,000 calories annually. How? Having sex 3 times a week burns 7,500 calories per year. That's the equivalent of jogging 75 miles (120.675 km).

TWO-DOLLAR BILL IS BACK. Without question, the $2 bill is the black sheep of the U.S. currency family. Despite being such a small denomination, the “Tom”—nicknamed for its portrait of Thomas Jefferson — rarely surfaces in day-to-day transactions. But make no mistake, the $2 bill is very real and remains in regular circulation.

FREE DIVING. There’s a community of women in South Korea known for free diving — without the help of breathing equipment — for several hours a day, collecting seafood from the ocean floor as deep as 60 feet below the surface. Scientists have discovered these women have evolved “unique genetic differences” that they hope will one day lead to improved medical treatments.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)