Three members of Samar’s political clan retain key post

TACLOBAN CITY, May 17 -- Tan family, the most influential political clan in Samar province, succeeded in their re-election bids, but failed again in their attempt to further expand their turf in this year’s elections.

The matriarch, Samar 2nd district Rep. Milagrosa Tan, daughter Governor Sharee Ann Tan, and son Vice Governor Stephen James Tan got fresh terms to hold the same elective positions in the impoverished province. They all defeated their opponents by a wide margin.

Another daughter, Angel, however, lost her mayoralty bid for the second time to incumbent Mayor Ronald Aquino in Calbayog City.

The governor thanked Samar voters for their overwhelming support to their family in the 2016 elections.

“The landslide victories you have all given us is a true testament that the people of Samar will always choose peace and prosperity despite the number of physical and psychological threats thrown by opposing parties,” Sharee Ann said in a phone interview.

“To be quite honest, this has been one of the most gruelling elections for us because of the friends we've lost along the way in the hands of our enemies.”

“There were times of weakness when we had to stop and ask ourselves if we could still go on. But during those times of doubt, we always look back at the many helpless people in Samar who are depending on us. What kind of Samar are we going to give our children if we leave the province in the arms of abusive individuals?”

The Tan family has been in power in Samar for more than a decade. A widow, Milagrosa joined politics as member of the provincial board in 1998 to replace her brother-in-law, Ruben Tan, who was in turn a substitute for her late husband, Ricardo.

She and her husband were running a general merchandising and microlending business before entering the political arena. Their entrepreneurial skills made them well known in town.

After one term as board member, Milagrosa ran for governor in 2001 defeating then incumbent Jose Roño. She took control of the provincial capital for nine years.

In 2007, her daughter, Sharee Ann ran as representative of the 2nd district. She became the youngest member of the House of Representatives.

After three years, mother and daughter switched places – Milagrosa ran for Congress while Sharee Ann replaced her mother. Also in 2010, Milagrosa fielded her third child, Stephen James, for vice governor. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR