Another Gatchalian: Kenneth eyes Valenzuela House seat as Mayor Wes seeks reelection

MANILA, Philippines – Another Gatchalian from the city of Valenzuela is entering the political arena.

Kenneth Gatchalian filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as first district representative of Valenzuela under Nationalist People’s Coalition on Sunday, October 6. It marks his first foray in politics.

During the filing of his COC, Kenneth did not grant any questions from reporters.

His brother, Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian, also filed his certificate of candidacy for reelection earlier that day.

Their family is a household name in the Philippine politics, with two other brothers: Senator Win Gatchalian and Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

Kenneth, 48, is the second eldest among the Gatchalian siblings. He is married to Mary Jeanette Kuo Gatchalian.

If elected, Kenneth would succeed his brother Rex, who vacated the congressional seat after being appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as cabinet secretary in 2022.

Following this vacancy, the House of Representatives appointed Quezon 1st District Representative Wilfrido Mark Enverga as a legislative caretaker.

Kenneth is one of the board of directors of one of the biggest investment firms in the Philippines, with interests ranging from the hotel business to real estate development, oil, mining, aviation, trading and banking, The Wellex Group Inc. website shows. The firm was founded in 1969 by the Gatchalian patriarch, William T. Gatchalian.

Incumbent councilor Marlon “Idol” Alejandrino will be running alongside Wes as vice mayor.

For the city’s second district, term-limited congressman Eric Martinez wants to pass the seat to his wife Katherine Martinez, a dentist. She filed her COC under the National Unity Party on Sunday.

The neophyte politician Katherine aims to prioritize health in her legislative agenda, focusing on the welfare of healthcare workers.

Katherine will be facing city councilor Gerald Galang, who filed his certificate of candidacy on Tuesday, October 1. – Rappler.com