POLITICAL FAMILY fortunes — triple, double, mixed – and misfortunes too, abounded in the recent polls in Pampanga. So, the ABS-CBN’s Halalan 2025 Election Results show. So, all winners have been proclaimed by the Comelec too.
Perfect three-of-three scored the family of outgoing House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales: daughter Mica taking up his post as 3rd District representative; son Brenz, vice mayor of the City of San Fernando; and wife MyMy, 3rd District board member.
Sans the INC vote, all three gaining insurmountable lead over all comers in their respective posts is – to believers – an irrefutable testament to Cong Dong’s political mastery. That, unbelievers sneer at as magical mystery.
Three-of-four went the Pinedas: Nanay and son Delta switching the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial chairs; daughter Esmie reelected as Lubao mayor; younger daughter Mylyn failing short in her CSF mayoralty try.
Two plus one in Macabebe. Even before the polls, two Floreses were already guaranteed reelection unopposed as they were: the legendary Zorro, Mayor Bobong and his son VM Vince. Winning a seat in the town council is Uncle Bet, though said to be estranged from the father and the son. So, what else is new among these Floreses?
Two-for-two for the Lazatin siblings in their post exchange: Mayor Carmelo Jr., famously Pogi, unopposed for the 1st District; Cong Carmelo II, distinctively Jon, landslide winner for the Angeles City mayoralty.
Pampanga’s long-running conjugal politics guaranteed to stay for another three years at least: 4th District Rep. Dr. Anna York Bondoc-Sagum and husband San Luis Mayor Dr. Jay Sagum.
Winning husband and wife also: unopposed Guagua VM Jun Lim and 2nd District board member Claire-David-Lim.
Couples to serve in separate LGUs are Soy Guevarra at No. 3 in the Sta. Ana council and Trina Dizon at No. 8 in the Mexico council.
Separate LGUs likewise for reelected Mayor John Sambo of Sto. Tomas and wife Marjorie Morales-Sambo, No. 6 in the Mabalacat City council.
Speaking of Marjorie, she will serve in the same local legislative body with half-sibling Ike Morales (No. 1). A third progeny of once-forever Mabalacat City mayor Boking Morales was elected to the Bamban, Tarlac council – Bap Morales at No. 6.
Despite the legal entanglements over the POGO yoke around his neck, Porac Mayor Jing Capil made not only a highly convincing win but even lifted his daughter Jen to the vice mayoralty.
Can’t talk of Porac without any mention of the Lapids. Aye, Senator Pinuno aka Supremo, aka Leon Guerrero held on the 11th spot in the Upper House. Son Meynard taking second spot in the town council.
Still in Porac: Number 1 board member of the 2nd District Fritzie David-Dizon, her brother Dexter David coming back to the town council at No. 5.
Father and son in Bacolor: unopposed Mayor Diman Datu, No. 2 councilor Jude Edward.
A variation of the same in Sta. Ana: first-time Mayor Dinan Labung, reelected 3rd District board member Lucky.
Mother-daughter in Sto. Tomas: VM Gloria “Ninang” Ronquillo, first time councilor Ara at No. 5. Ronquillo son Raymond though lost in his mayoralty bid.
Uncle-niece in Masantol: Returning Mayor Dan Guintu, first time VM Buday Guintu.
Their double victory spelling the wholesale defeat of the Bustos family: Patrol Rep. Jorge avalanched in the 4th District congressional race; son Mayor Ton Ton losing after a single term; nephew Joshua, also-ran for the vice mayoralty.
Double whammy in Mabalacat City: “sure winner” Mayor Cris Garbo upset by “upstart” Atty. Geld Aquino; Garbo daughter Winwin losing in her vice mayoral bid against Jun Castro.
Twice the impact of a double loss obtained in couple Danilo and Aniway Baylon: As in 2022, so in 2025 – the husband failing in his gubernatorial bid, the wife in the Candaba mayoralty. Both, miserably.
Father-daughter under the losing column: Rolly Macalino 4th in the 3-seat 3rd District provincial board; Doc Ayzel 13th in the 10-slot CSF council.
First try unlucky for Architect Alex Tumang in the Mexico mayoralty race and his niece Dr. Hazel Tumang for the 3rd District congressional seat.
Double loss for siblings Paul Quiwa, third and last in the 3rd District congressional race, younger brother Perico 14th in the CSF council race.
And then, the instances of unosinotra – a Spanish term – alternate, staggered, one-for-the-other – finding common ground in the disparate world of engineering, cockfighting, and yes elections in the Philippine political setting.
One wins, the other loses. Suerti nang Pedru, malas nang Huwan. Mipa-pamilya la man. So, we Kapampangans are wont to say.
In Magalang, Mayor Malu Paras-Lacson was reelected, her brother-in-law Norman lost in his comeback bid for vice mayor.
In Sta. Rita, Mayor Art Salalila was unseated by newbie Reynan Calo; his brother Dagi, with whom he has had win-loss contests for the mayorship, won as vice mayor.
In San Simon, his multiple suspensions from office notwithstanding, Mayor Abundio “JP” Punsalan was reelected; his daughter Janice aka JP lost in the vice mayoralty race.
Win some, lose some. Wax, wane. What is there to see?
Political families are here to stay.
So, you’re mad about it?
Look at just the three elections past and be dismayed.
Look further back and despair.
All photos: FB photograb
