Few competitive races, most dynasties have no contest

In Cavite, veteran politicians and scions of political families — Remullas, Revillas, Loyolas, Barzagas, Ferrers, and Tolentinos — are skating easily to victory, given the lack of formidable opponents

It’s kumbaya for most political families in Cavite, as several local races for the 2025 midterm elections see established names either fighting relative unknowns, or completely running unopposed.

Rappler enumerates the state of the races in the country’s second most vote-rich province.

Remullas’ 2025 bids a walk in the park

Jonvic Remulla won his reelection in 2022 but resigned to serve as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s interior secretary. On paper, this development could have thrown the race wide open for 2025, but none of the other political families stepped up, and Remulla’s successor, Governor Athena Tolentino, chose not to seek a full term.

In the end, only four names are on the ballot for the gubernatorial race — three independents, and frontrunner Francisco Gabriel “Abeng” Remulla, who is currently a board member. He is Jonvic’s nephew and the son of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.

Also facing lesser known opponents in their races are Abeng’s siblings Crispin Diego “Ping” Remulla, who is seeking reelection in Cavite’s 7th District, and Jacinta Maria Remulla, who is gunning for the vice mayoral seat of Naic.

Revillas assured of control over Bacoor

Cavite 2nd District (Bacoor) Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla (Lakas) and her brother-in-law, Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla (Nacionalista), are running unopposed in 2025, ensuring their continued grip on power in the province’s second most populous city. Provincial Board Member Ramon Vicente “Ram” Revilla Bautista (Nacionalista), Lani’s son, also has no opponent for vice governor.

The only Revilla facing competition is Cavite 1st District Representative Jolo Revilla (Lakas), another son of Lani, who will figure in a rematch with former Kawit vice mayor Paul Abaya (Liberal Party).

Other families either run unopposed or face no notable challenger in their bailiwicks

In other parts of Cavite, it’s also mostly rainbows and butterflies for political families who have no formidable opponents.

The Loyolas of Carmona only have opponents who are running as independent. Cavite 5th District Representative Roy Loyola (Nationalist People’s Coalition) and spouse Carmona Mayor Dahlia Loyola (NPC) are both seeking a second term.

The Barzagas are heading to their first election without their patriarch Elpidio “Pido” Jr., who died in April 2024. His son, Dasmariñas councilor Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga (National Unity Party), hopes to succeed him in Congress. Widow Jennifer Barzaga (NUP) is seeking reelection as mayor of Dasmariñas, and her running mate is her son, Elpidio “Third” Barzaga III (NUP).

The Ferrers of General Trias — Mayor Luis Ferrer IV (NUP) and Cavite 6th District Representative Antonio Ferrer (NUP) — are both running unopposed.

As for the Tolentinos of Tagaytay, only Cavite 8th District Representative Aniela Tolentino (NUP) has opponents, the most notable of whom is Provincial Board Member Irene Bencito (Aksyon). Mayor Abraham Tolentino declined to seek reelection, passing the torch to his son Aizack Brent (NUP). The newbie politician’s running mate is his mother, incumbent Vice Mayor Agnes Tolentino (NUP).

Abayas aim to recover from 2022 losses

The Abayas had controlled the first district — composed of Cavite City, Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario — for nearly three decades beginning 1995, but that came to an end three years ago, when former Kawit vice mayor Paul Abaya (Liberal Party) lost the election to Jolo Revilla by less than four percentage points. Paul is hoping to tie the score with his 2022 nemesis in the coming midterms.

Former congressman Francis Gerald “Boy Blue” Abaya (Liberal Party) is also giving the mayoral seat of Kawit a second shot. He lost the 2022 race to Angelo Aguinaldo by less than seven percentage points. This time, Abaya is running against Councilor Cynthia “Armi” Aguinaldo (Lakas), mother of the term-limited incumbent. Angelo (Lakas) is seeking to slide down to the vice mayoral post.

Kawit plays an important role in history, as it is the town where first Philippine president Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence. The Aguinaldos and the Abayas are his descendants.

Showdown in Imus

Imus is potentially the battleground for local politicians in Cavite in 2025.

Cavite 3rd District Representative Adrian Jay “AJ” Advincula (NUP) is gunning for a second term, but obstructing his path to reelection is Emmanuel Maliksi (Aksyon), who was city mayor for three terms from 2013 to 2022. His last electoral race was in 2019, when he defeated former mayor Homer Saquilayan in a tight contest.

AJ’s father Alex Advincula (NUP) will also seek reelection as Imus mayor, running in tandem with Saquilayan (NUP). His main opponent is Robert Rey “RR” Lacson (Aksyon), who is in an alliance with Maliksi.

Other notable races

• Silang: Former mayors Kevin Anarna (NUP) and Emilia “Omil” Poblete (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) seek to dethrone incumbent Edward “Ted” Carranza (Nationalist People’s Coalition). Anarna won here in 2022 against Poblete by eight percentage points, but Anarna was dismissed by the Ombudsman over procurement anomalies, allowing his former ally Carranza to take control of the capitol.
• Indang: Mayor Perfecto Fidel and Vice Mayor Sammy Rodil ran as a tandem from 2016 to 2022, and now that Fidel is term-limited, he’s endorsing his cousin Vergel Fidel (NUP) for mayor. Rodil is running as an independent.
• Tanza: Mayor Yuri Pacumio has exhausted her three terms. Now gunning for the top post of the province’s most populous town are Vice Mayor Archangelo “SM” Matro (NUP) and Councilor Maricel Del Rosario-Morales (NUP), who placed second in her race in 2022.

– Rappler.com