It was a historic midterm elections in Las Piñas City. For the first time in 27 years, its lone district will not be represented by someone from the Villar clan. Outgoing Sen. Cynthia Villar lost the race to city councilor Mark Anthony Santos.

In Baguio City, voters rejected a couple’s bid to rule the key local posts. Soledad Go failed to succeed her husband, outgoing Rep. Mark Go, after losing the race in the city’s lone district. Mark also lost the battle for City Hall to reelectionist Mayor Benjamin Magalong.   

In the congressional race in the lone district of Santa Rosa City, Laguna, Danzel Fernandez, son of Rep. Dan Fernandez, was defeated by Roy Gonzales.

A growing anti-political dynasty sentiment among voters in the May 12 midterms may have dampened attempts at growing dynasties in some areas in the country, political analysts have said. 

All eyes will be on the 20th Congress on whether it will finally pass an anti-dynasty law. A number of incoming lawmakers have already vowed to review and enact such a law.

But it will be a tall order. While some dynasties suffered losses, several others scored victories. More than 80 percent of 254 district seats will still be occupied by members of political dynasties, research by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) showed. 

About 188 seats were retained by ruling clans. Meanwhile, 18 members of dynasties defeated incumbents and another six are set to replace lawmakers who are either allied with them or did not field a family member for the same post.

Of the 212 winning lawmakers from dynasties, 174 have at least one relative who was elected to a local position in May or is serving a term until 2028.

In some provinces, a single clan captured most or all districts. 

Multiple posts, one family

The Marcos clan secured both districts in its bailiwick Ilocos Norte. President Marcos Jr.’s son Rep. Sandro Marcos won another term in the 1st District. The President’s cousin Angelo Marcos Barba was also reelected in the 2nd District.

In Davao City, the embattled Duterte clan extended their power in two districts. Paolo Duterte secured his third consecutive term as 1st District representative. Meanwhile, his son Omar Duterte won the race in the 2nd District.

The patriarch, former President Rodrigo Duterte, cruised to a landslide victory as Davao City mayor while detained in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, for crimes against humanity over his war on drugs.

His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is facing an impeachment complaint before the Senate acting as an impeachment court.

The Suansings also won races in two different provinces. Mikaela Suansing secured another term as 1st District representative in Nueva Ecija. Her sister Bella won her first term as 2nd District representative in Sultan Kudarat, succeeding their father Horacio.

A similar situation unfolded for the Legarda clan. Sen. Loren Legarda’s brother Antonio Legarda Jr. won his reelection bid against Gov. Rhodora Cadiao in the lone district of Antique. The senator’s son Leandro Legarda Leviste beat Rep. Eric Buhain in the 1st District of Batangas.

PCIJ counted at least 15 clans that have control over multiple legislative districts: Marcos (Ilocos Norte), Singson (Ilocos Sur), Dy (Isabela), Garcia (Bataan), Suansing (Nueva Ecija and Sultan Kudarat), Cojuangco (Pangasinan and Tarlac), Legarda (Batangas and Antique), Villafuerte (Camarines Sur), Benitez (Bacolod City and Negros Occidental), Garcia (Cebu), Tan (Samar), Yu (Zamboanga del Sur), Dimaporo (Lanao del Norte), Duterte (Davao), and Alonto (Lanao del Sur).

Rising, returning clans

In other districts, new and returning political clans have emerged.

In the newly created 3rd District of South Cotabato, Dibu Tuan won the congressional race. He is a former mayor of T’boli town, a post now held by his son Keo.   

The Lagdameos are also back in Davao del Norte’s 2nd District, with Jose Manuel Lagdameo winning the race. He is the brother of Antonio Lagdameo, Special Assistant to the President.

The Teveses lost the race in the 3rd District of Negros Oriental. Janice Teves was defeated by Janice Degamo.

Teves is the aunt of expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., who is now detained in connection with the 2023 killing of Gov. Roel Degamo, husband of Janice.

There are at least 33 congressmen-elect who have defeated incumbent representatives or their relatives. Eighteen of them are members of political dynasties. — PCIJ.org