COC filing puts spotlight on relatives as rivals

MANILA, Philippines — In politics, it seems blood isn’t always thicker than water.

While next year’s elections will continue to be a family affair in many local government units, some races in Metro Manila will see rivals coming from the same political dynasties.

In Makati for instance, the rift within the Binay family – first seen in the 2019 elections – will see a resurgence in 2025.

Sen. Nancy Binay, who is term-limited, will run for the seat to be vacated by her sister, Mayor Abby Binay.

But Abby, who will seek to replace her sister in the Senate, is supporting her husband, Makati Rep. Luis Campos, against Nancy.

The expected showdown between Nancy and Campos will be a repeat of sorts for the Binay family, when their brother Junjun ran against Abby in 2019.

After filing her certificate of candidacy on Oct. 1, an emotional Nancy maintained that she is not running against her sister, as Abby’s name will not be on the ballot.

The senator noted the support of their father, former vice president Jejomar Binay, who signed her certificate of nomination. The Binay patriarch heads their party, the United Nationalist Alliance.

Abby and Campos are both running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

In-laws

Like in Makati, the race for Parañaque’s next mayor will also be between in-laws.

Aileen Claire Olivarez, wife of outgoing Mayor Eric Olivarez, will run for the city’s top post against the wishes of her husband.

Eric seeks to switch places with his older brother, Rep. Edwin Olivarez.

The Olivarez brothers are both running under Lakas-CMD, while Aileen Claire is running as an independent.

She claimed that she has the support of her father-in-law, former Parañaque mayor Pablo Olivarez.

Cousins

In Las Piñas, cousins April Aguilar-Nery and Carlo Aguilar will vie for the city’s top post.

Aguilar-Nery, who is currently the vice mayor, seeks to swap places with her mother, outgoing Mayor Imelda Aguilar.

The Aguilars have long dominated Las Piñas politics.

Imelda is the wife of former mayor Vergel Aguilar, whose siblings include Sen. Cynthia Villar and Christian Aguilar, Carlo’s father.

Vergel, Cynthia and Christian are children of former Las Piñas mayor Filemon Aguilar.

Carlo, a former councilor, is running under the Villar-led Nacionalista Party, which will also field the outgoing senator for the city’s lone congressional seat.

Sen. Cynthia will face Councilor Mark Anthony Santos, an independent who is allied with the daughter-mother tandem of Aguilar-Nery and Imelda.

Rival slates

Some relatives, while not running against each other, belong to different slates.

In Taguig, former mayor and congressman Lino Cayetano filed his COC to run for the city’s first congressional district, which also covers the municipality of Pateros.

But he is not part of the slate of his sister-in-law, reelectionist Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, who endorsed reelectionist Rep. Ricardo Cruz Jr.

In Manila, Councilor Apple Nieto Rodriguez, sister of Vice Mayor Yul Servo, is running for the city’s third congressional district under Aksyon Demokratiko of former mayor Isko Moreno.

Servo is running for reelection under the slate of reelectionist Mayor Honey Lacuna, who will face former ally Moreno, and Tutok To Win party-list Rep. Sam Versoza for the city’s top post.