PCIJ.org
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
Two senators from Cavite’s biggest political dynasties sought reelection on May 12. They both fell short.
Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Francis Tolentino ranked 14th and 25th, respectively, in the tightly contested Senate race.
But their clans continued to prevail in Cavite’s politics, as well as most of the other entrenched political families in the rest of Calabarzon region, which spans Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal in southern Luzon.
The exception was Laguna, where TV broadcaster turned politician Sol Aragones stopped a husband-and-wife rule in the province.
In Laguna’s gubernatorial race, Aragones defeated incumbent Laguna 2nd District representative Ruth Hernandez by over 63,000 votes.
It was the second attempt of Aragones to win leadership of the province. She ran and lost the race to Ramil Hernandez in the 2022 elections.
Ruth Hernandez sought to swamp positions with her husband, outgoing Governor Ramil Hernandez, who ran for her seat in the House of Representatives. Ramil won.
In Cavite, the Provincial Capitol is once again in the hands of the Remulla clan.
Francisco Gabriel “Abeng” Remulla — son of Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla and nephew of Interior Sec. Jonvic Remulla — won a decisive victory in the elections on May 12.
Jonvic Remulla elected governor in 2022. He was succeeded by Athena Tolentino from another dynasty when he replaced Benhur Abalos at the Department of Interior and Local Government. (Abalos ran for the Senate, but lost the elections.)
The Tolentino clan won at least four seats. won 4 seats.
Brent Tolentino took over his father’s mayoral post in Tagaytay, while his mother Agnes Tolentino won as vice mayor. His sister, 8th District Rep. Aniela Tolentino, and cousin, Tagaytay Councilor Micko Tolentino, were re-elected.
The Revillas won at least 5 seats in the local elections.
Ram Revilla was elected vice governor, joining his mother, 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla, and brother, 1st District Congressman Jolo Revilla.
Their relatives, Strike Revilla and Rowena Mendiola-Bautista, ran unopposed and were re-elected as Bacoor’s mayor and vice mayor.
In Batangas, Vilma Santos-Recto, wife of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, reclaimed the governor’s seat.
Their son Ryan Recto won as 6th District representative.
Vilma’s other son, popular TV host Lucky Manzano, lost the vice-gubernatorial race to veteran Batangas politician Hermilando Mandanas.
In Rizal, the Ynares clan remains unshaken.
Governor Niña Ynares won re-election with over 800,000 votes. Antipolo Mayor Junjun Ynares reclaimed his seat, while Mayor Rhea and Vice Mayor Russel Ynares won unopposed in Binangonan.
Mia Ynares also won as 1st District Representative
In Quezon, the Tan political dynasty is growing.
Governor Angelina Tan was re-elected, along with son Keith Micah Tan as 4th District congressman. Another son Keith Mikhal Tan also won his first election as 2nd District’s provincial board member.
Vice Governor Anacleto Alcala III of Quezon was also re-elected, alongside family members Lucena Mayor Mark Alcala, Vice Mayor Roderick Alcala, and Board Member Vinnete Alcala. — PCIJ.org

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