Wives take over as Dynasties Cement Hold in Iloilo Congressional Elections

By Mariela Angella Oladive and Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Political dynasties showed unshaken strength in Iloilo province, with all five congressional districts electing members of entrenched political families—either through reelection or succession by a spouse.

1st District: Garin dynasty secures 41-year reign

Rep. Janette Garin secured her third consecutive term with 154,031 votes, defeating independent candidate Rosendo Langusta (3,900) and PDP–Laban’s Victor Tabaquirao (19,929).

Her win extends the Garin family’s hold on the district, which they have controlled since 1987.

A former Health Secretary, Janette first served as representative from 2004 to 2013 before yielding to her husband, Richard Garin.

Richard held the post from 2013 to 2019, after which Janette returned to Congress.

With her new term, the Garin dynasty is set to mark 41 years of uninterrupted leadership by 2028.

2nd District: Doctor replaces husband in unopposed race

Dr. Kathryn Joyce Fermin-Gorriceta won unopposed with 143,184 votes, succeeding her husband, outgoing Rep. Michael Gorriceta.

Michael, who served two terms, is the son of the late Rep. Arcadio Gorriceta, cementing the family’s 15-year presence in the district.

A medical doctor with no prior elective experience, Kathryn vowed to continue her husband’s initiatives while pushing for health, education and tourism reforms.

She plans to improve rural health units and hospital facilities, and enhance the healthcare referral system.

Michael previously said only one of them would seek office in 2025, and with Kathryn gaining public support through her advocacy work, he said it was her time to lead.

3rd District: Defensor dominates lone opponent

Rep. Lorenz Defensor won a third and final term with 194,791 votes, soundly defeating lone challenger Thelma Langusta, who received just 2,769 votes.

Son of former governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and brother of re-elected Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Lorenz has held the post since 2019.

He previously served as a provincial board member and is now part of the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

4th District: Biron defeats former cop

Rep. Ferjenel Biron retained his seat with 139,202 votes, defeating former police major Charlie Sustento Jr., who got 79,236.

The Biron family has controlled the district since 2004.

A physician by profession, Biron first won in 2004 and served three terms until 2013.

He returned in 2016, took a break after 2019, and reclaimed the post in 2022.

Biron thanked constituents in a Facebook message, saying his win is for “every hard-working parent, young dreamer and elder who helped build our communities.”

5th District: Tupas family feud ends in victory for Binky

Provincial Board Member Binky Tupas secured 145,283 votes to defeat her brother-in-law, former Rep. Niel “Junjun” Tupas Jr., who received 113,313.

Binky, wife of outgoing Rep. Raul “Boboy” Tupas, steps into the role as her husband shifts his focus to a vice gubernatorial bid after reaching his term limit.

The race drew attention due to the intra-family rivalry.

Niel, who previously held the post from 2007 to 2016, positioned himself as the “true Tupas” due to his bloodline and criticized Binky as merely “tapik lang,” or related only by marriage.

Despite the challenge, Binky emerged victorious and continued the Tupas clan’s four-decade control over the district under a new name.

In a Facebook post, Niel expressed gratitude to supporters, saying, “I’m sorry we did not get the result we all hoped for. I know you voted for me out of love.”

The loss marks Niel’s’ fourth consecutive defeat. He previously lost to Christine Garin in the 2016 vice gubernatorial race and to his younger brother, Raul Tupas, in the congressional elections of 2019 and 2022.

Neil served as the 5th district representative from 2007 to 2016, after first serving as a member of the Iloilo Provincial Board from 2004 to 2007.

Continuing legacy amid constitutional gaps

Despite a constitutional provision calling for a ban on political dynasties, the absence of an enabling law has allowed family-led power structures to persist.

As of the May 2025 elections, dynasties remain a central force in Iloilo politics, sparking questions not just about who holds office, but how they wield their influence.

The Provincial Board of Canvassers proclaimed all five winning representatives on Tuesday evening.

The province posted an 86.10% voter turnout, with 1,135,709 of 1,319,109 registered voters casting their ballots.