12 dynasties lose gubernatorial races, but 71 of 82 provinces still led by political clans

By Guinevere Latoza

Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

In the next three years, most provinces will remain in the hands of governors who come from political dynasties. By the count of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), 71 out of 82 winning governors in the May 12 midterm elections are members of political families.

It’s the same number as before the May 12 elections, based on PCIJ’s map, but the names are not always the same.

About 58 ruling clans retained control of provincial leadership, while eight defeated members of rival political clans. Four other governors-elect will replace sitting dynastic governors who either allied with them or did not field a family member to keep their post.

There is one instance where a dynastic governor will replace a non-dynastic one. This is the case in Batangas where Vilma Santos-Recto will assume the post, to be vacated by Hermilindo Mandanas who is sliding down as vice governor.

Despite the outcomes, the clans did not always win gubernatorial races with ease. A deeper study of the electoral contests revealed continuing resistance to dynastic rule, with some successes even if few.

Batanes, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Bulacan and Agusan del Sur remained the rare oases where dynasties do not rule the Capitol, even if clans prevail in the cities and the towns.

But four provinces shone in this year’s elections — Cebu, Catanduanes, Laguna, and Marinduque — where voters rejected the gubernatorial bid of ruling clans and chose candidates not known to be from dynasties.

Four provinces in the spotlight

Among non-dynast victors is political newcomer Pamela Baricuatro who pulled off an upset against incumbent Gov. Gwen Garcia.

She believed her win was a sign that Cebuanos “have had enough” and “want change,” she said in an interview. Baricuatro vowed to prioritize healthcare programs and do away with costly tourism programs started by Garcia.

The Garcias first captured Cebu’s provincial Capitol in 1995 through Pablo Garcia. In 2004, Gwen succeeded his term-limited father and held the post until 2013. Before sitting again as governor in 2019, Gwen served two terms as Cebu 3rd District representative.

A similar case transpired in Catanduanes where educator and independent candidate Patrick Azanza bested incumbent Vice Gov. Peter Cua, the brother of current Gov. Joseph Cua. In his campaign, Azanza pushed for better disaster preparedness and anti-corruption policies. He was also critical of the Cuas’ governance.

“We’re very happy na malaya na ang Catanduanes. Malaya na sa monopolyo, sa dinastiya, malaya na sa mga tios na pigkakaharap (We’re very happy that Catanduanes is finally free. Free from monopoly, from dynasties, free from suffering),” he said in an interview after his proclamation.

The win of former journalist and Sol Aragones as Laguna governor also held off an extension of the Hernandezes’ hold in the Capitol. She beat Rep. Ruth Hernandez, the wife of term-limited Gov. Ramil Hernandez.

In Marinduque, long-time politician Mel Go defeated Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, the son of incumbent Gov. Presbitero Velasco.

Both Go and Baricuatro ran under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Laban.

Former elections commissioner Luie Tito Guia and political science professor Julio Teehankee told PCIJ that some dynasties’ fall from power in this year’s elections could have been caused by a growing anti-dynasty sentiment among voters.

Returning, emerging dynasties

Rival dynasties took down ruling clans in at least eight provinces.

In Abra in northern Luzon, the Bersamin political clan returns to power.

The brother of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was elected Abra governor in a landslide victory that marked the clan’s political comeback after a nine-year absence.

Former governor Eustaquio “Takit” Bersamin defeated Bangued Vice Mayor Kiko Bernos in the gubernatorial race. Anne Bersamin, niece of Eustaquio, won as vice governor over Vice Gov. Joy Bernos. Anne is the daughter of Rep. Luis Bersamin who was slain in 2006.

The Bersamin dynasty had been dormant since 2016 when it last held power.

In Palawan, the Alvarezes are coming back to the provincial Capitol after Amy Alvarez, the daughter of Rep. Jose Alvarez, won as governor. She got more votes than incumbent Gov. Dennis Socrates.

In Maguindanao, there will be no Mangudadatu governor for the first time in 15 years.

In the first elections since the province was split in September 2022, a Mangudadatu husband-and-wife attempted—but failed—to win control of both Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

In Maguindanao del Norte, Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu was defeated by Tucao Mastura. Mastura belongs to another powerful political clan in the province.

In Maguindanao del Sur, Ali Midtimbang also defeated Mariam Mangudadatu, who was appointed governor of Maguindanao del Sur after the split. The Midtimbangs are a known political family from Datu Anggal Midtimbang town.

The two new governors are allies of the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and were backed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Sure wins, double posts

For other dynasties, electoral success was easier. A total of six winning governors-elect ran unopposed. They only needed at least one vote to secure their seats.

List unopposed governors

Infighting between two factions of the same political clan also resulted in bitter campaigns but certain wins for the clans.

This happened in La Union where Mario Eduardo Ortega beat his grandniece incumbent Gov. Raphaelle Ortega-David.

In Basilan, Rep. Mujiv Hataman edged out his nephew Board Member Jay Hataman Salliman by more than 3,000 votes. Hataman will serve his term with his brother and political rival, Gov. Jim Hataman Salliman, as vice governor. Salliman is Jay’s father.

The Hatamans’ case, however, is not unique to Basilan. About one in five governors-elect will have a relative join them in the Capitol as vice governor.

Electoral reform advocates have opposed political dynasties, arguing that when top local executive positions are captured, checks and balances are at risk of being eroded.

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, reform advocates see opportunities for change as two regional anti-dynasty laws are set to take effect—one later this year and another in 2028.

At the national level, at least two petitions have been filed with the Supreme Court to compel Congress to enact the political dynasty ban.

A number of lawmakers also vowed to finally pass an anti-dynasty law, following strong advocacy during the campaign. — PCIJ.org