President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s kin dominated the midterm elections in Ilocos Norte, mirroring dynasties’ reign results in the rest of the Ilocos Region that also saw blood relatives battle for the same positions.
Marcos’ son Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos and his cousin Angelo Marcos Barba cruised to election in the 1st District and 2nd District, respectively. Both ran unopposed.
The President’s cousin-in-law, Vice Gov. Cecilia Araneta Marcos, defeated an independent candidate to claim the governorship, while his nephew, Gov. Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc, was elected vice governor, without any challenger.
In Laoag City, Bryan Alcid unseated the President’s cousin, reelectionist Mayor Michael Marcos Keon, at City Hall.
The President backed Alcid against Keon in a sign of intra-family power play.
Similarly, in La Union, the gubernatorial race remained an Ortega family affair, with Gov. Raphaelle “Rafy” Ortega-David losing to her granduncle, Vice Gov. Mario Eduardo Ortega.
In the 1st District congressional race, Rep. Paolo Oreta bested his cousin, provincial board member Joy Ortega.
In San Juan town, Mariquita Ortega won the battle for mayor against her nephew, Vice Mayor Manuel Ortega. Mariquita’s husband won as vice mayor of San Fernando City unopposed.
Raphaelle’s father Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” Ortega lost the 2nd District congressional race to Rep. Dante Garcia
In Ilocos Sur, the Singson dynasty solidified its grip. Luis “Chavit” Singson’s brother and son were elected to lead the province. Both ran unopposed.
- Jeremias “Jerry” Singson, governor
- Ryan Luis Singson, vice-governor
- Ericson Singson, provincial board member
- Janina Singson Medina-Fariñas, provincial board member
- Fayina Pilar Zaragoza, provincial board member
Out of 23 candidates from the clan, more than a dozen won. The other winners from the clan were:
- Ronald Singson, 1st District representative
- Kristine Singson-Meehan, 2nd District representative
- Randy Singson, Vigan mayor
- Evaristo “Bobit” Singson III, Vigan councilor
- Germelina Singson Goulart, Caoayan mayor
- Juan Paolo Ancheta, Caoayan vice mayor
- Annea Cassandra Singson de Leon, Sto. Domingo mayor
- Luis Charles Singson, Narvacan councilor
- Eric Singson, Candon mayor
- Kristelle Singson, Candon vice mayor
- Eric Owen Singson, Candon councilor
- Jaime Singson, Candon councilor
Ako Ilokano Ako party list group – with Chavit’s daughter Richelle as No. 1 nominee – ranked 45th in the party list race, based on the tally of the Commission on Elections. Probinsyano Ako – with Chavit’s brother Jose “Bonito” Singson Jr. as No. 2 nominee – ranked 70th.
In Pangasinan, the Guico family continued to dominate local politics, with Gov. Ramon Guico III securing reelection against perennial rival Amado Espino III.
His father Ramon Guico Jr. was reelected as 5th District congressman, while his brother Ramon Ronald Guico IV retained his position as Binalonan mayor, demonstrating the family’s enduring control. — PCIJ.org