Niel Tupas, Sr.
| Niel Tupas, Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Niel D. Tupas September 30, 1946 Barotac Viejo, Iloilo |
| Other names | NTS |
| Occupation | Politician, Assemblyman |
| Spouse(s) | Mrs. Tupas |
Niel Tupas, Sr. is the former Governor of the province of Iloilo, former Representative of the 5th District of the same province to the Batasang Pambansa (1978–1984) and Philippine Congress (1987–1998), and former Mayor of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
Tupas is a Bachelor of Law graduate and is the first President of the Municipal Mayors' League of Iloilo in 1973 and Municipal Mayors' League of the Philippines. He was also the President of Western Visaya's Municipal Mayors' League in 1977.Niel Tupas, Sr. is the father of Niel Tupas, Jr.
Biography
Tupas obtained his pre-law his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Philippines in 1957 and passed the Bar in the same year.
Political Life
After unsuccessful attempts for Congress, he won the post of municipal mayor of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo in 1972, where he served for seven years. In 1978, he was elected as assemblyman in the Batasang Pambansa. In 1987, he was elected as congressman, serving a total of 11 years as legislator under the new democratic government.
In 2001, Niel Tupas was elected governor of Iloilo. He led Iloilo Province to several national awards, especially in the anti-illegal gambling against jueteng campaign, stopping illegal fishing, and the clean and green program. He was re-elected in 2004 and once more during the May 12, 2007 elections, where he is now on his third term. He also sits as member of the Council of Advisers of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.
Gov. Tupas and Mrs. Tupas have seven children, many of whom hold political office: they are the parents of Congressman Niel Tupas, Jr., the mayor of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Niel Tupas III and Lex Tupas. Mrs Tupas herself served three times as municipal mayor of Municipality of Barotac Viejo.[1]
Gov. Tupas was charged for graft and corruption before the Ombudsman for granting a quarry permit to an unqualified contractor who was said to have partnered with a mining company owned by the in-laws of his son Raul. The Ombudsman ordered Tupas dismissed in 2007, but his reelection in the same year made the penalty unenforceable.[2]
Positions Held
- 1972-1978 - Mayor, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo
- 1973 - First President, Municipal's League of Iloilo
- 1977 - President, Western Visayas Municipal's League and First President, Mayor's League of the Philippines
- 1978-1984 - Assemblyman, Batasang Pambansa for Region VI
- 1987-1998 - Representative, 5th District Privince of Iloilo
- 2001-2010 - Governor of Iloilo