How divided was the EMBO vote for Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano?

In EMBO barangays, election results show notable pockets of resistance against Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano’s reelection bid

Residents of the 10 Enlisted Men’s Barrios (EMBO) voted for Taguig City officials for the first time since their transfer from Makati City.

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano overwhelmingly won reelection, securing her second term. She received a dominant share of votes in most barangays but not in all EMBO barangays.

Cayetano’s average share of votes across EMBO barangays was 56.94%, significantly lower than her overall average in Taguig, which stood at 76.84%.

In East Rembo and West Rembo, she received just less than half of the total votes, 49.99% and 48.76%, respectively.

In Barangay Rizal, the EMBO area with the highest number of registered voters, she garnered a slightly stronger 60.62%. The alternative choice of EMBO residents for mayor was former congressman Arnel Cerafica

Cayetano’s highest support in EMBO came from Barangays Post Proper Northside and Post Proper Southside, where she captured 73.96% and 70.59% of the votes, respectively.

Undervoting, or the number of residents who skipped voting for mayor, was also notably high in some EMBO barangays compared to the rest of Taguig.

In Barangay Cembo, 1,012 voters, or 7.23% of those who voted, did not select a candidate for mayor. In Barangay Pitogo, 479 voters, or 7.12%, also left their ballots blank for mayor.

The transfer of EMBO barangays from Makati to Taguig was messy and met with resistance from residents. Many initially expressed concern that they would lose access to the social services they had long enjoyed as Makati residents under the leadership of the Binays, another political clan.

Residents were caught in a political tug-of-war between Cayetano and Makati Mayor Abby Binay. The EMBO barangays also used to be under Makati’s 2nd District ruled by Abby’s husband, Luis Campos. Campos ran for mayor but lost.

In 2024, public facilities in the area were shut down, including fire stations, health centers, basketball courts, and even public parks. These facilities reopened on May 5, after over a year, following a court order. The health centers also reopened as Taguig takes over.

The two cities also clashed over ownership of public schools in the EMBO area, prompting the Department of Education to intervene.

With new leadership in Makati, a smoother transition is expected, as newly-elected Mayor Nancy Binay said she is open to coordinating with Cayetano to ensure a seamless handover of governance in the EMBO barangays.

Taguig has long been the political stronghold of the Cayetano family, beginning with the late Rene “Compañero” Cayetano, who served as congressman for Taguig–Pateros–Muntinlupa. He is the father of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Lani’s husband.

With another term secured, can Lani finally win over EMBO residents? – Rappler.com