MANILA, Philippines – Family conflicts are a familiar narrative in the Philippines, often centered around inheritance disputes. 

Whether it’s your own experience or that of someone you know, many families find themselves embroiled in battles over land and assets. In Filipino telenovelas, we see family members competing for control of the family business.

For political dynasties, however, the stakes are even higher — the fight is for the seat of power.

In-laws conflict

Maintaining a healthy relationship with in-laws can be challenging for some and this is something the Binays of Makati can relate to.

Term-limited Senator Nancy Binay is going head-to-head against her brother-in-law, Makati 2nd District Representative Luis Campos, for the mayoral seat in the 2025 elections.

Campos’ mayoral bid is supported by his wife incumbent Mayor Abby Binay, who has a strained relationship with her siblings.

Nancy appears to see Campos as an outsider in the family.

When asked why people should vote for her, Nancy said that she is presenting herself as an option and it depends on the public on whether or not they want continue the Binay family’s brand of public service, which was initiated by her father Jejomar. The patriarch, Jojo Binay, had been vice president from 2010 to 2016 and before that, Makati mayor for nine years starting 2001.

“Does it mean that other camp’s (Campos) brand of service is different from Binay?” a reporter asked. 

Nancy avoided answering directly. She instead highlighted her roots in Makati as an advantage over her brother-in-law, who according to her, only moved to the city after marrying her sister, Abby. 

Nancy’s mayoral bid was supported by her father. (READ: The Tragedy of Jejomar Binay)

To further fan the flames, Campos has forged an alliance with Congressman Kid Peña, a former political enemy of the Binay family — particularly the elder Binay. Peña is now running as Campos’ vice mayor. 

In their 2016 mayoral race, Abby locked horns with Peña. She narrowly defeated Peña, securing 160,320 votes against Peña’s 142,257.

Peña also had a bitter electoral battle with Jojo Binay in 2019, when he (Peña) won the Makati congressional seat by just 5,806 votes. Jojo contested the results and filed an electoral protest, claiming that machine failures and vote-buying swung the victory in Peña’s way.

This is not the first time the Binay family has faced internal competition for political power. In 2019, siblings Abby and Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. squared off for the mayoral position. Abby won in that race.

During that election, Abby’s only family ally was her father, Jojo, who sought a congressional seat.

Meanwhile, Junjun had the support of the rest of the family, including their mother, former mayor Elenita Binay, and his sisters, Anne and Nancy. Despite the rift, Junjun still endorsed his father as his congressional candidate.

As Abby bids for a Senate seat, “Ate Nancy” has publicly expressed her support for her sister’s candidacy.

When Abby filed her certificate of candidacy, she was evasive when asked about the political rivalry involving her husband and sister.

In Parañaque City, the Olivarez in-laws are also at odds over the mayoral post.

The city’s first lady Aileen Claire Olivarez is running as mayor against her brother-in-law, Congressman Edwin Olivarez of LAKAS-CMD.

Aileen’s husband, incumbent mayor Eric, chose to pass the mayoral seat to his brother Edwin. Eric is seeking to switch seats with his brother by running as the city’s 1st district representative.

Two other members of the Olivarez family are also entering the race: the sister of Eric and Edwin, Shanin, is vying for a seat in the Parañaque City council, while Edwin’s eldest son, Pablo “Paolo” Olivarez, is seeking reelection as a city councilor.

The Olivarez political dynasty traces its roots to Dr. Pablo Olivarez, who served as Parañaque mayor from 1992 to 1995. He and his late wife, Dr. Rosario, also founded the Olivarez College and Olivarez General Hospital.

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano and her brother-in-law Lino Cayetano, who is running as 1st District representative, appear not to be in good terms.

Lani and her husband Senator Alan Peter Cayetano chose to endorse incumbent Congressman Ricardo “Ading” Cruz over Lino.

When Lino filed his certificate of candidacy under the Nationalist People’s Coalition on Thursday, October 3, he said he was hopeful that his sister-in-law would support his congressional bid. But that didn’t happen.

A few days later, on October 7, Lani accompanied Ading Cruz and Jorge Daniel Bocobo when they filed their certificates of candidacy. Bocobo is gunning to become congressman of Taguig’s 2nd District.

Lani, who is also seeking reelection, declined to be interviewed. In a different event, Alan was also seen raising the hands of Cruz and Bocobo.

Lino said that he initially wanted to run as mayor but opted to run for a House seat to give way to his sister-in-law.

“Nagbigay-daan tayo noong 2022 and itong 2025 ay muli tayo ay magbibigay-daan para kay Ate Lani Lopez Cayetano bilang Mayor — suportado natin siya,” Lino said in a Facebook post. (We gave way in 2022, and this 2025, we will once again make way for Ate Lani Lopez Cayetano as mayor — we support her.)

Pia, sister of both Lino and Alan, is seeking reelection as senator.

Cousins’ rivalry

In Las Piñas City, the two Aguilar cousins — Carlo and April — are fighting to become mayor. They are nephew and niece, respectively, of Senator Cynthia Aguilar Villar, who is running as district representative of the city as she completes her final term in the Senate.

April, the city’s current vice mayor, is eyeing the mayoralty to succeed her mother, Mayor Imelda Aguilar, who is now term-limited and running for vice mayor.

Carlo, a former city councilor, is running under the ticket of his aunt Senator Cynthia Villar as a Nacionalista Party candidate. He is the son of Cynthia’s brother, Christian.

When asked about the feud in their clan, Cynthia told reporters, “Talagang ganoon ang buhay eh. Ano na ‘yan eh second generation. Cannot stop them.” (That’s just how life is. They’re already the second generation. You can’t stop them.)

Cynthia and Imelda are sisters-in-law. Cynthia’s father, Filemon Aguilar, who first became mayor in the 1960s, laid the foundation for the Aguilar family’s decades-long grip on the city’s political turf. Imelda is the wife of the late Las Piñas mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar, Cynthia’s brother. Nene Aguilar served as local chief executive for 18 years (1995 to 2004 and 2007 to 2016), and was succeeded by his wife.

Aside from the local race, another Villar is seeking a national post: Camille Villar, daughter of Cynthia and former Senate president Manny.

If elected, Camille will again serve in the legislature at the same time as her elder brother Mark, as well as her mother in case Cynthia wins in the district elections — if ever, that will be three Villars occupying national posts all at the same time.

Siblings unite

Not every family is fighting over control. Some are making sure their grip on power remains solid, spreading their surname across the local government or even in national posts like a brand. Every member has a seat to claim and a role to play.

In Navotas City, the Tiangco siblings are tightening their grip — Mayor John Rey and lone district representative Toby are both eyeing reelection.

No one has dared to challenge their rule. No rival has filed a certificate of candidacy against them.

The Tiangcos are connected to another well-entrenched dynasty, the Marcoses. Toby is married to Michelle Romualdez Yap, cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Michelle is the daughter of Concepcion Romualdez Yap, the sister of Imelda, former first lady and mother of the incumbent president.

As an extended member of the family, Toby serves as the campaign manager of the Marcos administration senatorial slate Alyansa for the 2025 elections.

Over in Valenzuela City, the last Gatchalian brother standing outside politics has finally joined the fray.

Kenneth, a businessman, is running as Valenzeuala’s district representative. Meanwhile, his brother Weslie or Wes is seeking reelection as the city’s mayor.

Their family is a household name in Philippine politics, with two other brothers, Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian serving in the Senate, and Rex Gatchalian serving as Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary.

Two Zamora siblings — Mayor Francis Zamora and Congresswoman Ysabel “Bel” Zamora — are seeking reelection to keep their hold on San Juan City.

The Zamoras face challenges from the Estrada family’s political party, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, with Francis competing against basketball legend Philip Cezar, also known as “Tapal King”, and Bel going up against Jana Ejercito. Francis is the son of former congressman Ronaldo Zamora, while Jana is the niece of former Philippine president Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

A cousin of the half-brother senators Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito, Jana comes from the Estrada political dynasty, which controlled San Juan until 2019, when Francis won over Janella Ejercito Estrada in the mayoral race. Janella is the daughter of Jinggoy Estrada.

In Taguig City, Amparo “Pammy” Zamora, the youngest sister of Francis and Bel, is also seeking reelection as 2nd district representative.

Pasay City Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano and her brother, Congressman Antonio “Tony” Calixto, are both vying for reelection. Tony’s child councilor Mark Calixto is running as his aunt’s vice mayor. Meanwhile, Emi’s son Luigi is running as councilor.

Conjugal rule

In some Metro Manila cities, different couples are vying for control of city hall and representation in the House of Representatives.

In Marikina City, incumbent congresswoman Stella Quimbo and Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro, who represent different districts, will face off for the city’s top post.

Their husbands are also running for Congress in separate districts: incumbent Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro for the 1st district and former House deputy speaker Miro Quimbo for the 2nd district. Outgoing Mayor Marcy will contend with term-limited Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

In Malabon City, District Representative Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel is challenging incumbent Mayor Jeannie Sandoval.

Meanwhile, their husbands — former An Waray congressman Florencio “Bem” Noel and former Malabon congressman Ricky Sandoval — are both aiming to return to the House of Representatives as Malabon representatives.

Parent and children

Parents and children often walk similar paths, and politics is no exception. Some even find themselves running for office together.

Take Caloocan City, for example. Mayor Dale “Along” Malapitan and his father 1st District congressman Oca Malapitan are seeking reeelection under the Nacionalista Party.

Along’s reelection is being challenged by former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, who is running under Aksyon Demokratiko.

In the city of Manila, former mayor Isko Moreno is eyeing a political comeback as he runs for mayor, while his son, actor Joaquin Domagoso, is vying for a seat as 1st District councilor. This will be Joaquin’s first stint in politics.

In a 2022 interview with Rappler, Isko said that he sees himself in Joaquin.

“I see myself in him when it comes to people engagement. He is also the one who approaches (the people); he is the one who reaches out,” Isko said in a mix of English and Filipino.

In the same interview, however, Isko said that he didn’t want members of his family to run simultaneously. Joaquin also said back then that he doesn’t see himself entering politics.

Like other candidates dealing with family-related tensions in the 2025 elections, Isko is arguably in a similar situation. He will be running against the incumbent mayor, Honey Lacuna, whom he affectionately refers to as “ate” (older sister).

Isko and Honey are not related by blood or affinity, but their ties connect with the late Danny Lacuna, Honey’s father and a former vice mayor of the city. Danny was Isko’s political mentor.

For the Abalos dynasty in Mandaluyong, Vice Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos is poised to succeed her father-in-law, Mayor Benjamin Abalos, as she filed her certificate of candidacy for mayor. Menchie’s children Charise Marie Abalos-Vargas and Benjie Abalos are also running as councilors for the city’s first and second districts, respectively.

Meanwhile, Menchie’s husband, Benhur, who recently resigned as Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary, is running for the Senate.

Charise’s husband David Angelo “Gelo” Vargas serves as assistant general manager for operations at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, an institution previously led by Benhur and Benjamin.

Other mayors in Metro Manila seeking reelection are Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, and Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

Pateros, the only municipality in Metro Manila, is set to welcome a new mayor as Miguel “Ike” Ponce reaches his term limit. Ponce was chosen as the second nominee of the Ahon Mahirap partylist.

Among the candidates for the mayoral position in Pateros are former vice mayor Gerald German and incumbent councilors Dominador “Ador” Rosales Jr. and Ronaldo “RSM” Miranda.

Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution says that “the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

The definition of dynasties, however, and how they are to be prohibited have yet to be spelled out by Congress, which has been dominated through the years by members of political dynasties.

Without a clear definition of a dynasty, we have witnessed family feuds, both within and between clans. Some cling together to maintain power, while others wrestle each other for a shot at the throne.

The recently concluded filing of candidacy for the 2025 elections shows a clear message: when it comes to power, family ties can both bind and break.

– Rappler.com