Meet the ‘obese’ political dynasties of the Philippines
We’ve seen sibling pairs in the Senate, as well as mother-and-son tandems. But three brothers?
If the pre-election polls hold until May 12, 2025, neophyte Senator Raffy Tulfo will be welcoming two of his brothers to the Senate.
Fellow news broadcasters Erwin and Ben ranked first and second in the September 2024 Pulse Asia senatorial preferences survey.
Four other family members are seeking seats in the House of Representatives. The senator’s wife, ACT-CIS Representative Jocelyn Tulfo, and his son, Quezon City Representative Ralph Tulfo Jr., are seeking reelection.
Senator Tulfo’s sister Wanda Teo is also running as the first nominee of Ang Turismo party-list group, while her son Robert Tulfo Teo is the third nominee.
If they all win, there will be seven Tulfos in Congress next year.
Three Villars served in the Senate over the past two decades. Next year, a fourth Villar is seeking the same seat. Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar aims to follow in the footsteps of her father, mother, and brother, who all began their political careers in the House before advancing to the Senate. The Villars are aiming for five seats next year. (READ: ‘New politics,’ how? Camille seeks to be the 4th Senator Villar)
Seeking higher positions and swapping roles allow political dynasties to stay in power and expand their political influence. It is only two of many tactics that are repeated in varying degrees in provinces, districts, cities, and municipalities.
The Tulfos and the Villars are getting a lot of attention due to their dominance, or potential dominance, in national politics.
The count done by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) shows there are at least two dozens of political dynasties seeking to occupy at least five seats each after the May 2025 elections.
Among them are the Marcos and Romualdez clans of Ilocos Norte and Leyte, Singsons of Ilocos Sur, Hataman-Sallimans of Basilan, Ortegas of La Union, Dys of Isabela, Tulfos, Pacquiaos of South Cotabato and Sarangani, and Dutertes of Davao City.
They also include the Villar family of Las Piñas, the Belmontes of Quezon City, Abaloses of Mandaluyong, Revillas and Tolentinos of Cavite, Ejercitos of Laguna