EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of a series of articles which identified some of the prominent political dynasties in the country. Studies conducted by the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) identify two types of political dynasties inherent to Philippine experience. “Thin” dynasties involve family members succeeding one another in office [sunod-sunod], often as a means to circumvent term limits and maintain political influence. In contrast, “fat” dynasties are composed of family members running for and holding multiple positions at the same time [sabay-sabay] in the legislative and executive branches of government (Mendoza, et al., 2019).

Using the data collected by the Ateneo School of Government through the Ateneo Policy Center from 1992 to 2022, and with additional historical research from News5 Digital, we compiled lists of family members for the ten vote-rich provinces in the Philippines for the 2025 elections. Through a combination of AI tools and manual review, the dominant families in the ten largest voting provinces were identified and arranged chronologically, from the oldest to the youngest members on record. While some family rosters are exhaustive, others remain incomplete due to the lack or scarcity of information confirming each member’s position and term of service.  

(May 8, 2025) — Cavite, the second vote-rich province in the Philippines, continues to be shaped by powerful political families. The birthplace of Philippine independence ironically is yet to be liberated from the chains of clan politics, amid its growing and diversifying electorate which makes the province a pillar of national discourse and a yardstick for gauging political ambition of the senatorial or presidential types. With more than 2 million voters, Cavite has undeniably built a reputation as a foundry of election outcomes, forging Philippine history’s alloyed direction towards legacy politics, patronage, and persuasion. The existence of political dynasties in a locality has always been a subject of debate, whether they have prevented or promoted development in their respective bailiwicks.

Based on election data compiled by the Ateneo Policy Center from 1992 to 2022 and historical research from News5 Digital, five dynasties have remained dominant in the province: the Remullas, Revillas, Tolentinos, Barzagas, and Aguinaldo-Abayas. These families have controlled executive and legislative posts across municipalities, districts, and even national positions—often for multiple generations.

REMULLA FAMILY

The Remulla family has been one of the most dominant forces in Cavite politics, with its members holding top provincial and congressional seats for over two decades. Some family members have moved up to the national scene as members of the Marcos Jr. cabinet.

Juanito “Johnny” Reyes Remulla Sr.
PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER, VICE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR 

• Johnny is the longest-sitting governor of Cavite (1979-1986 and 1988-1995). Before this, he served as vice governor from 1972 to 1979 and was a member of the provincial board from 1964 to 1979. His tenure saw Cavite’s rise as a commercial and political center in the Southern Tagalog region, owing to strategic alliances with prominent parties and personalities over the course of his public career.   

Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla
PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER, VICE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR, INTERIOR SECRETARY

• Jonvic is the youngest son of Johnny. He served multiple terms as governor of Cavite, (2010-2016 and 2019-2024). He previously held positions as vice governor (1998-2007) and as provincial board member of the 2^nd District (1995-1998). He is currently the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla
GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES, PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER, JUSTICE SECRETARY

• Boying is the eldest son of Johnny and a brother of Jonvic. He was elected multiple times as Cavite representative in the 3^rd district (2004-2010) and in the 7^th district (2010-2013 and 2019-2022). He authored the law that created the 7^th district of Cavite in 2009. He was also elected governor (2016-2019), and member of the provincial board (1992 to 1995).  Like his brother, he is also a member of the Marcos administration, serving as secretary of the Department of Justice. He is one of the 70 House members who voted against the granting of a new franchise to media network ABS-CBN.

Gilbert Remulla
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• He is a brother of Jonvic and Boying and son of Johnny. He was a broadcast journalist who later pivoted into politics, serving as two-term congressman of Cavite’s 2^nd district. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

REVILLA FAMILY

Rooted in Bacoor City, the Revilla family is one of the country’s entertainment royalties, with members appearing on TV and films across generations. Like in show business, the Revillas have also ventured into politics and expanded beyond Cavite to sustain their influence across multiple electoral cycles.

Ramon Bautista Sr.
SENATOR

• An actor known as Philippine cinema’s “Hari ng Agimat,” Ramon became senator for two terms, from 1992 to 2004. He authored Republic Act No. 8294 which lowered penalties for illegal possession of firearms violations and Republic Act No. 9255 that amended the Family Code to allow illegitimate children to use the surname of their father if paternity is expressly recognized.

Ramon Bautista “Bong” Revilla Jr.
VICE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR, SENATOR

• Bong is one of the sons of Ramon Sr. Like his father, he is a celebrity politician, serving multiple terms as senator (2004 to 2016, and 2019-present). Before this, he served as chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board (2002-2004). He was also elected governor (1998-2001) and vice governor (1995-1998). Several cases were filed against him for his alleged participation in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam in 2013. He was eventually acquitted of plunder and graft in 2018. As senator, Bong authored the Mandatory Helmet Act, Anti-No Permit, No Exam Act, and the Expanded Centenarian Act, among others.

Lani Mercado-Revilla
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MAYOR

• She is Bong’s wife, who alternated roles as congresswoman (2010-2016, and 2022-present) and mayor of Bacoor (2016-2022).

Ramon “Jolo” Revilla II
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, VICE GOVERNOR

• Bong and Lani’s son Jolo has held several local positions, including representative of the 1^st district (2022-present), vice governor (2013-2022), and barangay chairman of Panapaan VII in Bacoor (2010-2013). Jolo is also a former actor.

Leonard Bryan Revilla
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Bryan, another son of Bong and Lani, has also entered the political fray as a representative of Agimat party-list (2022-present).

Edwin Mortel “Strike” Revilla
COUNCILOR, MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
• Strike is the younger brother of Bong. He started his political career as Bacoor councilor in 1995 before serving in the provincial board from 1998 to 2004. Strike then ran for mayor in 2007 and served until 2016. He switched posts with sister-in-law Lani Mercado as Cavite 2nd district representative from 2016 to 2022. The term-limited legislator returned to the mayoral seat in 2022 and is seeking reelection in 2025.

TOLENTINO FAMILY

The Tolentino family continues to govern Tagaytay City as bailiwick, with members cycling through key posts in both local and national governments.

Isaac Tolentino
MAYOR

• He is the longest-serving mayor of Tagaytay City, from 1954 to 1980. The national sports hospital in Tagaytay was named after him in recognition of his service to the city.

Abraham “Bambol” Ng Tolentino
COUNCILOR, MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Bambol, the son of Isaac, is the incumbent mayor of Tagaytay City, where he also served as councilor (1998-2007). As congressman, he represented Cavite’s 8^th district (2013-2022). He is also president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and PhilCycling. Under his watch as POC president, the Philippines won gold medals in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. Bambol is among the 70 House members who voted against the granting of a new franchise to media network ABS-CBN.

Francis Tolentino
MAYOR, SENATOR

• Francis, also a son of Isaac and Bambol’s brother, previously served as Tagaytay City mayor (1995-2004). He was appointed chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (2010-2015) and later as Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs (2017-2018). He 2019, he won as senator and is seeking reelection in 2025. Among the laws he authored are Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

Agnes Tolentino
VICE MAYOR, MAYOR

• Bambol’s wife became mayor in 2013 before sliding to the vice mayor’s seat in 2016 where she is set to complete a third term in 2025.

Aniela Tolentino
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• One of Bambol’s daughters, who is now representing Cavite’s 8^th District since 2022. She is seeking reelection in 2025.

Athena Tolentino
COUNCILOR, VICE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR

• Athena, also a daughter of Bambol, served as Tagaytay City councilor (2019-2022), then later as vice governor (2022-2024) of the province. She became Cavite governor after Boying Remulla resigned following his appointment as Justice secretary.

BARZAGA FAMILY

In Dasmariñas City, Cavite’s most populous locality, the Barzaga family has built a strong political base through consistent office-holding across successive terms.

Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr.
MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Pidi served as Dasmariñas mayor (1998-2007 and 2016-2019) and congressman (2007-2016 and 2019 until his death in 2024). In 2012, he was a member of the 10-member prosecution panel during the impeachment trial of the late former chief justice Renato Corona. In 2020, he, along with 69 other lower house lawmakers, voted to deny the franchise renewal of media network ABS-CBN. He authored laws such as the conversion of Dasmariñas into a component city and the “No Permit, No Exam” Prohibition Act.

Jennifer “Jenny” Narvaez Austria-Barzaga
MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Pidi’s wife Jenny was also elected Dasmariñas mayor (2007-2016 and 2019-present) and Cavite’s 4^th district representative (2016-2019). She will seek a third term as mayor in 2025. Her son Elpidio Barzaga III or Third is her vice mayoral running mate.

Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga
COUNCILOR

• Kiko, the son of Pidi and Jenny, currently serves as a councilor of Dasmariñas City. He is now running as Cavite’s 4^th district representative.

AGUINALDO-ABAYA FAMILY

Descendants of Philippine independence icon General Emilio Aguinaldo, the Aguinaldo-Abaya clan has remained a potent force in Kawit and the surrounding areas. Their influence blends heritage with contemporary governance, making them one of Cavite’s most prominent political dynasties to date.

Emilio Aguinaldo
PRESIDENT

• The first president of the Philippines (1899-1901), Miong was known as a revolutionary leader who played a key role in the country’s fight for independence from Spanish rule. He ran for president in the 1935 election but lost to Manuel L. Quezon by a wide margin.

Cesar Virata
MEMBER OF THE BATASANG PAMBANSA, FINANCE MINISTER, PRIME MINISTER

• He is a grand nephew of Emilio. He served in the Interim Batasang Pambansa (1978-1984) and the Regular Batasang Pambansa (1984-1986) under the Marcos regime. Cesar was known as the Prime Minister and concurrent Finance minister of the Marcos Sr. administration.

Emilio “Orange” Aguinaldo IV
COUNCILOR, VICE MAYOR

• A great grandson of Emilio, Orange has held local posts including councilor (2001 and 2004) and vice mayor (2007) of Kawit. He is married to broadcaster Bernadette Sembrano.

Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo
COUNCILOR, MAYOR

• Also a great-grandson of the former president, Angelo won as Kawit councilor in 2013. He has been the town’s mayor since 2016. He will vie for the vice mayoral post of Kawit in 2025.

Armie Aguinaldo
COUNCILOR

• Angelo’s mother Armie is an incumbent councilor in Kawit. She is seeking to replace her son as mayor in 2025.

Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY

• Jun is the great-grandson of Emilio. He represented the 1^st district of Cavite for three terms (2004-2012) before becoming secretary of transportation during the Aquino administration. He was the president of the Liberal Party from 2012 to 2016. Prior to entering politics, Jun became an officer of the Philippine Navy after graduating from the US Naval Academy.

Francis Gerald “Boy Blue” Abaya
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Boy Blue is the brother of Jun and great-grandson of Emilio. He was a three-term congressman of the 1^st district from 2013 to 2022. He will seek the mayoral post against relative Armie in 2025.

Why Cavite matters in 2025

The province is not just a local political hub. It is also a strategic stronghold in national elections, where dynastic leaders often serve as political brokers or deliver decisive voting blocs. As the 2025 midterm elections approach, the endurance of these political families raises crucial questions about representation, competition, and accountability. The Cavite experience mirrors national trends of dynastic entrenchment, where public office is often passed from parent to child, or between spouses and siblings. Understanding the extent of these dynasties’ control—grounded in empirical data—offers voters, analysts, and policymakers’ valuable insights into the inner workings of Philippine democracy at the local level.

Overall, the 2025 elections in Cavite feature high-profile contests, including open seats due to incumbents ending their terms or passing away, and some races where powerful families face off. These contests are closely watched as indicators of shifting political alliances and emerging leaders.