ILOILO – Political clans not only dominate at the provincial level, where members of prominent families like the Garins, Tupases, Biros, Defensors, and Gorricetas filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs).
At the municipal level, a similar pattern emerges with clans showing configurations of siblings, parent-child pairs, aunts and/or uncles, cousins, nephews/nieces, and direct successors or alliances all stepping into the political arena.
Here are some familiar names from political clans at the municipal level running for elective posts in the upcoming May 12, 2025 midterm elections:
Ajuy
* Sangguniang Bayan member Loida Espinosa – running for mayor
* Mayor Jett Rojas – running for vice mayor
* Benjamin Rojas – running for SB member
* Ramon Rojas III – running for SB member
* Ramon Espinosa Jr. – running for SB member
* Provincial Board member Carol-V Espinosa-Diaz – running for mayor
* Ramon Espinosa Sr. – running for vice mayor
Anilao
* Mayor Nathalie Ann Debuque – running for vice governor
* Vice Mayor Ma. Teresa Debuque – running for mayor
* Barangay Captain Lyka Joy Debuque – running for vice mayor
Balasan
* Mayor Filomeno Ganzon – re-electionist
* Vice Mayor Manuel Ganzon – re-electionist
Bingawan
* Mayor Mark Palabrica – running for Provincial Board member
* Provincial Board member Matt Palabrica – running for mayor
Carles
* Alexander Betita – running for mayor
* Raul Betita – running for SB member
* Arnold Betita II – running for mayor
* Earl Patrick Betita – running for vice mayor
* Andres Betita – running for SB member
Lambunao
* Provincial Board member Jason Gonzales – re-electionist
* Mayor Reynor Gonzales – re-electionist
* Cesar Gonzales – running for SB member
Leganes
* Mayor Vicente Jaen II – re-electionist
* Martin Jaen II – running for SB member
* Adolfo Jaen II – running for SB member
Lemery
* Mayor Oscar Villegas Jr. – re-electionist
* Remo Villegas – running for SB member
* Lowel Arban – running for vice mayor
* Limwel Arban – running fir SB member
Miag-ao
* Vice Mayor Macario Napulan – running for mayor
* Jun Carlu Napulan – running for SB member
New Lucena
* Mayor Liecel Mondejar- Seville – running for SB member
* Carl Vincent Mondejar – running for mayor
Passi City
* Mayor Stephen Palmares – re-electionist
* Jovi Palmares – running for SB member
* Katherine Palmares – running for SB member
San Dionisio
* Christian Paul Lopez – running for SB member
* Sally Lopez – running for mayor
San Enrique
* Mayor Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez – running for vice mayor
* Gian Carlo Fernandez – running for mayor
* Jose Fernandez Jr. – running for SB member
San Miguel
* Mayor Marina Luz Gorriceta – running for vice mayor
* Ross Paul Gorriceta – running for mayor
San Rafael
* Roel Belleza – running for mayor
* Mayor Roberto Belleza Jr. – running for vice mayor
Santa Barbara
* Mayor Dennis Superficial – re-electionist
* Neil Superficial – running for SB member
Sara
* Mayor Jon Aying – re-electionist
* Joseph Aying – running for SB member/PN
