Dynasties continue to thrive in Metro Manila

2 weeks ago 13

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Political families will run the cities of Metro Manila once again.

Different tandems of relatives — parents and children, siblings, and cousins — are set to lead city halls, local councils, and Congress, following the 2025 midterm elections.

Some families are growing stronger, some are just starting out, while others face conflicts within.

Manila

In Manila, Isko Moreno is cementing his own political dynasty. After a brief hiatus and failed presidential bid in 2022, the former actor is returning as mayor, while his son and actor Joaquin Domagoso have clinched a seat in the city council.

Joaquin placed first in the six-way race with 114,262 votes in the district where his father started his political career. In a 2022 interview with Rappler, Moreno said that he didn’t want members of his family to run simultaneously.

“Pakiusap ko sa kanila hanggang nasa gobyerno ako ‘wag kayong mag-go-gobyerno,” said Isko. (I ask them not to enter politics while I am in government.)

Moreno said that he sees himself in Joaquin. “I see myself in him when it comes to people engagement. He is also the one who approaches (the people), he is the one who reaches out,” Isko said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Moreno ran against his former ally, incumbent Mayor Honey Lacuna,

Meanwhile, the Atienza family also strengthened its hold in Manila. Chi Atienza, daughter of former Mayor Lito Atienza and Moreno’s running mate, is now vice mayor. Her sister Maile Atienza won reelection as third district councilor though under the ticket of Lacuna.

In the fourth district, term-limited Edward Maceda will be succeeded by Dr. Giselle Maceda.

Makati

The Makati City’s top post will remain with the Binay bloodline. Outgoing Senator Nancy Binay won against her brother-in-law Luis Campos. Congressman Campos is the husband of term-limited Mayor Abby Binay. Abby also failed in her bid to become senator.

Nancy’s candidacy was backed by her father Jejomar, mother Elenita, and brother Junjun, all former mayors of Makati. Nancy will be the 5th Binay in her family to head city hall. The Binays have ruled the city since their patriarch Jejomar was appointed city officer-in-charge in 1986.

Nancy Binay proclaimed mayor of Makati City

Marikina City

It’s a game of musical chairs in Marikina. Maan Teodoro won against Stella Quimbo in the mayor position. Both of them are congresswomen in their respective districts.

Meanwhile, Mayor Marcy Teodoro will take over the seat that will be vacated by his wife Maan after winning against Senator Koko Pimentel. The Comelec, however, suspended Teodoro’s proclamation pending the poll body’s en banc decision on the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy.

In the 2nd District, Miro Quimbo will be taking the seat vacated by his wife Stella.

Mandaluyong City

The Abalos family continues to hold sway in Mandaluyong. Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos was elected mayor unopposed, securing 143,315 votes. She will replace her father-in-law Benjamin Abalos Sr.

She’s not the only Abalos in power. Daughter Charisse Abalos-Vargas topped the council race in the city’s 1st District, while son Benjie Abalos led the 2nd District.

Menchie made history in 2016 as Mandaluyong’s first female mayor, following in the footsteps of her husband, former interior secretary Benhur Abalos. Benhur, however, failed in his recent Senate bid.

Benhur’s nephew JC Abalos will also sit again in the lower chamber as the representative of the 4Ps party-list.

Caloocan City

Caloocan Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan and his father 1st District Representative Oca Malapitan secured reelection.

Along’s brother Enteng Malapitan also secured the top spot in the race for councilors in the 1st District.

Along served as 1st District representative from 2016 to 2022, a position his father held from 2004 to 2013 before he (Along’s father) returned to it in 2022. The two effectively switched roles after reaching their term limits.

Las Piñas City

Despite a family feud, the Aguilars retained their grip on Las Piñas.

Vice Mayor April Aguilar will swap roles with her mother, Mayor Imelda Aguilar, after both won their respective races. April faced off against her cousin, Carlo Aguilar.

An Aguilar has occupied the mayoral post since Las Piñas became a city in 1997. Imelda and her husband, the late Vergel Aguilar, took turns as Las Piñas mayor.

Three other Aguilars were elected as city councilors, namely Alelee Aguilar, Albie Aguilar, and Lord Aguilar.

Alelee is the sister of Las Piñas Mayor-elect April Aguilar. Albie and Lord Aguilar are allies of losing mayoral candidate Carlo Aguilar and Senator Cynthia Aguilar-Villar, all of whom ran under the Nacionalista Party.

It was not a total victory for the Aguilars, however. For the first time since 1992, Las Piñas will not be represented by a Villar in Congress. Councilor Mark Anthony Santos defeated Cynthia.

Cynthia and Imelda are sisters-in-law. Cynthia’s father, Filemon Aguilar, who first became mayor in the 1960s, laid the foundation for the Aguilar family’s decades-long grip on the city’s politics. Imelda is the wife of the late Las Piñas mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar, Cynthia’s brother. Nene Aguilar served as local chief executive for 18 years (1995 to 2004 and 2007 to 2016), and was succeeded by his wife.

Although the Villar matriarch lost, another Villar, Camille, will be sitting in the Senate. She will join her brother Mark Villar.

San Juan City

The Zamoras retained control of San Juan. Mayor Francis Zamora and his sister, Congresswoman Bel Zamora, both won reelection.

Bel defeated Jana Ejercito, niece of former president Joseph Estrada and cousin of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito. The Zamoras ended the Estradas’ decades-long dominance of San Juan in 2019.

Bel and Francis’ sister, Pammy Zamora, ran for representative in Taguig’s 2nd District but Pammy lost to Jorge Bocobo, a candidate backed by the Cayetanos. Francis, Bel, and Pammy are children of former San Juan congressman Ronaldo Zamora.

Taguig City

Taguig City remains a stronghold of the Cayetano family, with Lani Cayetano winning another term as mayor.

However, not all Cayetanos were successful. Former mayor and congressman Lino Cayetano lost to reelectionist Ading Cruz, who was backed by his sister-in-law Lani.

Lino is the brother of Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano. Pia also secured reelection.

Parañaque City

The Olivarez family continues to dominate Parañaque. Representative Edwin Olivarez is switching roles with his brother, Mayor Eric Olivarez after both won their races.

The election also highlighted a family rift. Eric’s wife, Aileen Claire Olivarez, ran against Edwin.

Two more Olivarezes won seats in the city council. Edwin’s eldest son, Pablo “Paolo” Olivarez, placed second in the 1st District council race. While Shanin Olivarez, sister of Eric and Edwin, took the 8th and final spot in the same district.

Navotas City

In Navotas, Mayor John Rey Tiangco was reelected unopposed. His brother, Congressman Toby Tiangco, also won another term with over 116,000 votes.

Valenzuela City

The Gatchalians maintained their grip on Valenzuela. Mayor Wes Gatchalian was reelected unopposed, while his brother Kenneth won the city’s 1st congressional seat.

It was a tight race for Kenneth, a neophyte politician and businessman, who secured 80,410 votes, against his rival Tony Espiritu with 79,629.

Their family is a household name in Philippine politics, with two other brothers, Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian serving in the Senate, while Rex Gatchalian was Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary. Rex recently stepped down after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked all Cabinet members to submit courtesy resignations.

Malabon City

In Malabon, it was a face-off between two political couples: the Sandovals and the Noels, vying for the mayoralty and congressional seats. But only one from each pair clinched victory.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval secured her reelection, defeating incumbent District Representative Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel.

Despite Josephine’s loss, her husband, former An Waray congressman Florencio “Bem” Noel, will still keep the family in power. He won the congressional race against former Malabon representative Ricky Sandoval, Jeannie’s husband.

Quezon City

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte secured her third term. She’s not the only Belmonte keeping the family name in power.

Her nephew, Mikey Belmonte, topped the councilor race in the 2nd District, earning reelection with the highest number of votes. Mikey is the son of Miguel Belmonte, president and CEO of The Philippine Star.

In the 4th District, Joy’s cousin, Vincent Belmonte, also led the pack, placing first among councilor candidates.

Political families continued to dominate in other districts. In the 5th District, brothers Alfred and PM Vargas both won reelection as councilors.

Meanwhile, Ralph Tulfo secured another term as 2nd District Representative. Though he’s the only Tulfo elected in Quezon City, he’s part of a growing political dynasty in Congress. His father, Raffy Tulfo, remains a senator, while his uncle, Erwin Tulfo, won a Senate seat in the recent elections. Ralph’s mother, Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, will also return as a party-list representative for ACT-CIS in the 20th Congress.

Ralph Wendel Tulfo, Jocelyn Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo

Pasig City

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto won reelection, securing his third and final consecutive term. Another Sotto also holds public office, but in a different city. His cousin, Gian Sotto, was reelected as vice mayor of Quezon City, while Gian’s father, Tito Sotto, is returning to the Senate.

Pasig Congressman Roman Romulo and his nephew, 1st District Representative Simon Romulo-Tantoco, also secured reelection. Even before the nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, Pasig already banned them through an ordinance authored by Simon in 2022.

Pasay City

Four members of the Calixto-Rubiano family won seats in Pasay.

Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano secured her third and final term, while her son, Luigi, won as 2nd District Councilor. Her nephew, Mark Calixto, was elected vice mayor. Meanwhile, her brother, Congressman Antonio “Tony” Calixto, also won reelection.

Other races

Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon also won his second term. His father, the late Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon, was former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, senator, and Muntinlupa representative.

Pateros, the lone municipality in Metro Manila, will have a new mayor. Former vice mayor and municipal administrator Gerald German won the mayoral race, succeeding outgoing Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III, who endorsed his candidacy.

Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution states: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

But decades later, no enabling law exists to define or prohibit dynasties, largely because Congress itself remains filled with members of powerful political families. – with reports from Iya Gozum/Rappler.com

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