In Bulacan, politics is truly a family affair

MALOLOS CITY – The political landscape in Bulacan has truly evolved into a family affair.

First, there were husbands and wives, then siblings, parents and children running for different elective positions.

Now, the family affair has extended to grandchildren with a local political kingpin fielding his grandson as his running mate.

Anacleto Meneses, former three-term mayor of Bulacan town, is staging a comeback with his grandson Patrick as vice mayoral bet.

Patrick, in his early 20s, is one of the children of former mayor Ricardo Meneses who died in 2005. The late mayor is a nephew of Anacleto, who is in his 70s.

In other Bulacan towns and cities, the husband and wife succession for the mayoral post is evident.

In Norzagaray town, former mayor Feliciano Legazpi is also staging a comeback after three years during which his wife, Matilde, ruled as mayor.

In the new city of Meycauayan, outgoing Mayor Eduardo Alarilla has endorsed his wife, Joan, to be his successor.

In Balagtas and Guiguinto towns, outgoing Mayors Reynaldo Castro and Ambrosio Cruz have endorsed their brothers – Romy Castro and Celso Cruz, respectively – as their successors.

The same situation is true for the top provincial posts.

Outgoing Gov. Josie de la Cruz is endorsing her younger brother, Jon-jon Mendoza, for governor under the banner of Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

On the other hand, Hagonoy Vice Mayor Marivic Alvarado is running for the first congressional district post, which her husband, Rep. Willy Alvarado, who is seeking the vice governorship, is vacating in June.

In Calumpit town, former mayor Ramon Pagdanganan, younger brother of Lakas-CMD gubernatorial candidate Roberto Pagdanganan, will try to reclaim the post he vacated in 2004.

Other candidates who come from the same family are Hagonoy Mayor Felix Ople who is also running for first district congressman, and lawyer Dalisay Ople-San Jose who is seeking her second term as municipal councilor of Hagonoy.

In Malolos City, Mayor Danilo Domingo is seeking his third term, while his nephew, Dennis San Diego, is running for re-election as city councilor.

In San Rafael town, Mayor Ricardo Silverio is aspiring for his second term, and his wife, Rep. Lorna Silverio, her third term.