Mostly old names dominate the election field in Batangas, with families hoping to either retain or expand their control of their bailiwicks in the province.
Rappler ranks the most notable races to follow in Calabarzon’s industrial port in the coming midterms.
5. Vilma’s comeback bid obstructed only by politicians with inferior political machineries
Vilma Santos-Recto (Nacionalista Party) ruled Batangas from 2007 to 2016, then served for two consecutive terms as congresswoman of the sixth district. Since 2010, she has amassed a majority of the votes in every election she participated in.
Her competitors, although not exactly nobodies, have an uphill battle defeating a celebrity who — before her time in politics — already carved her legacy in the Philippine entertainment industry.
Michael Angelo Rivera (Liberal Party) was once part of Congress as representative of party-list group 1-Care. He also used to be mayor of the fourth-class municipality Padre Garcia, whose mayor and vice mayor today are his wife and son, respectively. He is the endorsed successor of Governor Dodo Mandanas, who is term-limited.
Jay Ilagan (PROMDI) is incumbent vice mayor of Mataas na Kahoy, a fourth-class municipality in the province. He secured 61% of the vote in his last electoral race in 2022.
Walter Ozaeta (independent) has the least experience in elective government among those on the list, standing only on his experience as neophyte barangay chairman in San Jose, Batangas. A 2019 report by the Philippine National Agency said he was “one of the most wanted persons in Calabarzon,” charged with kidnap-for-ransom. He said in a March 2024 interview that the court had found him not guilty in that case.
4. Mark Leviste tries to end a family’s decades-long hold of the third district
Vice Governor Mark Leviste (independent) is still eligible to run for the same post one more time, but he let go of that bid, as well as his gubernatorial aspirations, to gun for a congressional seat.
Batangas’ 3rd District has been ruled by the Collantes family since 2010 — Sonny until 2016, then wife Maria Theresa until 2022. Now that the family’s matriarch is term-limited, the couple are passing the baton to their son King Collantes (Nationalist People’s Coalition).
3. Loren Legarda’s son makes political debut
Businessman Leandro Leviste (independent), son of veteran senator Loren Legarda, dips his toes in politics, seeking to dethrone Batangas 1st District Representative Eric Buhain (Nacionalista Party).
His family has had mostly uninterrupted control of the district for more than three decades. Buhain’s father-in law, Gloria Arroyo-era executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, first led the district from 1992 to 2001, followed by Eric’s wife, Eileen Ermita-Buhain, from 2001 to 2010, then 2013 to 2022.
Leviste’s political roots locally and nationally are much more established though. His father Tony Leviste was governor of the province from 1972 to 1980, while his mother Legarda, the longest-serving female senator in the Senate, is the only female lawmaker to top two senatorial races in Philippine history.
2. Luistro’s reelection bid a litmus test of quad comm’s popularity
Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luisro (Lakas CMD) seeks to defend her seat from her predecessor, Raneo Abu (Nacionalista Party). Abu took control of the district from 2013 to 2022.
Luistro, a neophyte lawmaker, is undeniably among the breakout stars of the 19th Congress. Her methodical interpellations during congressional hearings have made her one of the most recognizable faces of the quad committee, subjecting her to attacks by Duterte loyalists. Her race may provide clues on how the anti-Duterte stance of lawmakers with local constituencies will appeal to voters.
1. TV host versus term-limited governor for province’s second highest post
Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas (PDP) has exhausted all three terms, and is now constitutionally barred from seeking a fourth term. He plans to slide down to the vice-governorship, but he faces an interesting challenge from renowned TV host Luis Manzano (Nacionalista Party). The latter has no experience in politics, but is expected to bank on his showbiz popularity, and the fact that he is entertainment and political royalty. If Manzano wins alongside his mother Santos-Recto, they will have joint dynastic control of the provincial hall.
A potential spoiler would be Bauan Mayor Ryanh Dolor (independent), whose family has ruled the first-class municipality since 1998. He won the mayoral race in 2022 with 76% of the total vote. It remains to be seen if his appeal can extend beyond his town, especially amid competition from more recognizable names in the province.
Honorable mentions
- Batangas 6th District: Another Santos-Recto scion seeking to enter politics is Ryan Recto, who seeks to succeed his father, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto. The father vacated the district post after he was appointed to President Marcos’ Cabinet in 2023.
- Batangas 5th District: This district representing Batangas City was formed only in 2015, and its seat has been held by Congressman Marvey Mariño since 2016. Now that he’s term-limited, he seeks to swap posts with his wife, Batangas City Mayor Beverly Rose Dimacuha-Mariño. Her only opponent is Carlito Basa, now on his third attempt to secure control of the district. His 2016 and 2022 bids had very poor results, but Basa is running this time under the banner of Makabayan. The race may provide insights on how voters respond to Makabayan’s messaging to resist dynasties in elective government.
- Batangas City: The province’s capital will see a change of guards, as its incumbent mayor is term-limited. But Mayor Beverly Rose Dimacuha-Mariño is passing the baton to her husband, Congressman Mariño. Seeking to spoil that family turnover is Clemente Berberabe, the provincial president of Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. His local alliance called Team Bagong Batangas City, of which Carlito Basa is also a part, has endorsed Governor Dodo Mandanas’ vice gubernatorial bid.
- Lipa City: Incumbent Mayor Eric Africa has no opponent for his reelection bid, but how the vice mayoral race in the province’s most populous city will play out will be interesting to watch. Incumbent Camille Angeline Lopez will be challenged by Councilor Mikee Morada, best known online as husband of TV host and internet personality Alex Gonzaga.
- Tanauan: The mayoralty race is a rematch between incumbent Sonny Collantes and Mark Anthony Halili, son of slain mayor Antonio Halili. The 2022 race was a close one, with Collantes getting a 52% vote-share against Halili’s 45%.
– Rappler.com