ONE morning last week, Ilonggos woke up shocked by the news that the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC), commonly called provincial jail, had become a marketplace for illegal drugs. An inmate was allegedly the man behind the business, in cahoots with jail guard Ritcheliu Tupas of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. If the name rings a bell, it’s obviously because he is a relative of the said town’s most prominent native, Governor Niel Tupas.

But, of course, the governor smartly distanced himself from the jailguard, telling radio reporters he would welcome a probe of the embarrassing racket at the IRC, which is directly under his supervision.

Never before in the history of the IRC had a jail guard protected an inmate. Why is he so bold? Because he himself has a bigger protector?

Alas, Richeliu Tupas has only “enriched” the governor with another fishy issue: nepotism. Now we know that the territory of Kamag-anak, Incorporated is not confined to the four corners of the provincial capitol.

We have heard the governor justify nepotism at his office on the ground that the positions of his relatives there are confidential in nature. They enjoy his confidence.

Needless to see, they also see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil – not even against a coddler of drug pusher who happens to be a Tupas.

Nepotism, according to Mr. Webster, is favoritism shown by somebody in power in the appointment of relatives and friends to positions.

How does the governor love his relatives? Let us count the ways – at least five with juicy positions. His wife is executive assistant. And so are his only daughter and a brother-in-law. His daughter’s husband is a security officer. His daughter has a cousin as secretary.

Tupas’ predecessor had not been so family-oriented in appointment of co-terminus personnel. Arthur Defensor never appointed a relative at his beck and call.

If in the opinion of the governor he could only trust his relatives and speech writer-turned administrator Manuel Mejorada, then it’s a blessing in disguise that his nephew, Vice-Governor Rolex Tupas, has opted to abandon the “turil ni Niel” and to expose the capitol anomalies through privilege speeches at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

Most recently, Suplico questioned the supplemental budget that his uncle had submitted for board approval on the ground that the projects sought to be funded are grossly overpriced and mostly for the 4th District, where Tupas intends to run for congressman. The provincial board had to mercilessly trim down the supplemental budget, leaving no way for kickback to surface.

Incidentally, while writing this column yesterday, I chanced upon a newspaper ad showcasing a brand-new Autoclave, a medical-dental sterilizer, for sale at P16,000 only. Holy cow! This was the same brand – second-hand and defective – that the provincial government had paid P1.3-million for to a “new supplier” which turned out to be the previously banned CDC Pharmacy under a new name.

Nepotism is a twin of political dynasty, which has also become a “hallmark” of the Tupas administration. But of course, who could the governor hold responsible but the people for electing a son of his as mayor of Barotac Viejo, another son as congressman of the 5th District, and still another as councilor of Iloilo City?

Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul “Boboy” is running for governor against Arthur Defensor in 2010. Call it revenge, since his Tatay Niel lost to Arthur Defensor for governor in 1998.

Don’t we have non-trapo alternatives?

Now 76 years old, Niel Dimaulo Tupas could have opted to retire from politics and enjoy life – say, by taking a cruise on an ocean liner. It’s incredible that he would like to go back to the House of Representatives even if he had been there for around two decades from the time of President Marcos to that of President Fidel Ramos. It’s unethical that he would like to unseat the man who bankrolled his candidacy for governor in 2001, Congressman Ferjenel Biron of the 5th District.

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