Jalosjos dynasty loses Zamboanga del Norte provincial, congressional, and city races

After two decades, the Jalosjos political clan has lost control of Dapitan City in Zamboanga Del Norte to another political dynasty in the province — the Uy family.

It also lost the gubernatorial and congressional races to the Uy family and its ally, respectively.

Maita Jalosjos, daughter of former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos Sr., lost to Belen Uy, former mayor of Dipolog City and husband of former governor Roberto “Berto” Uy.

Bullet Jalojos, the outgoing Dapitan City Mayor, lost his bid for governor to Darel Dexter Uy. Bullet is the brother of Maita, while Darrel is the son of Belen and Berto.

Cesar Jalosjos lost the 3^rd District congressional race to Ian Amatong, an ally of the Uys. Cesar is the brother of Romeo and uncle of Maita and Bullet.

Roberto “Pinpin” Uy Jr., the other son of Belen and Berto, won the 1^st District congressional race, too.

In Dipolog City, the Uy patriarch, Roberto Uy, also won the mayoral race.

Zamboanga Del Norte is one three provinces in the country’s poorest region, the Zamboanga Peninsula in western Mindanao, that remains in the tight grip of political dynasties.

In Zamboanga Del Sur, Divina Grace Yu, wife of outgoing Gov. Victor Yu, ascended to the top provincial post.

Their children also won congressional seats: Joseph Yu in the 1^st District and reelectionist Victoria Yu in the 2^nd District. 

In the mayoral race in Zamboanga City, incumbent 1^st District Rep. Khymer Adan Olaso defeated incumbent 2^nd District Rep. Mannix Dalipe.

Dalipe is the brother of outgoing Mayor John Dalipe, who lost his congressional bid.

Beng Climaco, who previously served as city mayor for three terms, will make a comeback after experiencing her first electoral loss in 2022. She was elected vice mayor.

Climaco is the niece of former Mayor Cesar Climaco, one of the most prominent critics of the Marcos dictatorship in Mindanao. 

Zamboanga City is the peninsula’s lone independent city.

In Zamboanga Sibugay province, reelectionist Gov. Ann Hofer, daughter of the province’s first-ever governor, continues her family’s political legacy.

Her nephews Ralph Hofer de los Santos and Pava Hofer also secured seats as board members. 

Incoming Vice Gov. Ric-Ric Olegario will be succeeding his father, outgoing Vice Gov. Rey Andre Olegario.

Isabela City of Basilan, which voted to be excluded from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is also part of the jurisdiction of Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Dada Hataman won another term as mayor the city. Her husband, Rep. Mujiv Hataman, was elected governor of the province.

In Sulu, which the Supreme Court excluded from BARMM last year, is also dominated by the family of Abdusakur Tan, who is finishing his third and last consecutive term as governor of the province.

He was elected vice-governor while his son and namesake was elected mayor, Abdusakur Tan II.

His children Samier and Aiman were also elected to the House of Representatives as district and party-list representatives, respectively. — with reports from Carmela Fonbuena/PCIJ.org