EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth 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 9, 2025) – Pangasinan is the fourth vote-rich provinces in the Philippines with more than 2.1 million voters in 2025. It is a traditional electoral battleground in the north, with its large voting bloc capable of influencing both local and national outcomes since the past elections. Its geopolitical pull is massive as the province holds about 60 percent of the Ilocos Region’s population. Economic centers like Dagupan, San Carlos, and Urdaneta are crucial gateways linking the rest of the province to Ilocos and Central Luzon. Some of Pangasinan’s prominent political dynasties have commanded every electoral exercise from these cities which also serve as their bailiwicks. 

Based on data collected by the Ateneo Policy Center from 1992 to 2022 and historical research from News5 Digital, Pangasinan remains a highly contested arena among some of the most powerful political dynasties in the country. Among the notable surnames who hold the keys to the province are the De Venecia, Espino, Guico, Perez, Primicias, and Celeste families.

DE VENECIA FAMILY

With a political lineage that reaches back to the 1960s, the De Venecia family is among Pangasinan’s most nationally prominent. The family focused on maintaining a long-standing presence in the lower house of Congress.

Jose “Joe” de Venecia Jr.
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• The clan’s patriarch Joe has decades-long experience as one of the members of the House of Representatives since 1969. He served as the representative of Pangasinan’s 4th district for multiple terms until 2010 and had been House Speaker for multiple terms. Joe is also known during his prime as a coalition-builder in the lower house. 

Gina de Venecia
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Manay Gina is the wife of Joe and the daughter of the owners of Sampaguita Pictures, a prominent movie production company in the Philippines from the 1930s.  She succeeded her husband in 2010 as representative of Pangasinan’s 4^th district for two terms. In 2025, Manay Gina will vie for the same seat to replace her term-limited son Toff.

Christopher “Toff” de Venecia
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Toff is the son of Joe and Gina is a former child actor. He followed in his parent’s footsteps in pursuing a congressional seat. He is currently in his third term as representative of the 4^th district of Pangasinan. Toff was one of the 11 lawmakers who voted to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise. He also signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

CELESTE FAMILY

The Celeste clan has taken up several local executive and congressional posts in Pangasinan, particularly in Bolinao and Alaminos City. Their sustained presence in demonstrates a broad dynastic reach that spans executive and legislative branches over multiple election cycles.

Arthur Celeste Sr.
MAYOR, MEMBER OF HOUSE OF REPESENTATIVES

• One of the Celeste brothers, Arthur Sr., sat as mayor of Alaminos from 2013 to 2019. He was elected representative of the 1^st district from 2001 to 2010. He returned to the same post in 2022 and is seeking reelection unopposed in 2025. Arthur Sr. signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Jesus “Boying” Celeste
MAYOR, MEMBER OF HOUSE OF REPESENTATIVES

• The eldest of the Celeste brothers, Boying was mayor of Bolinao from 1995 to 2004. He has alternated with Arthur Sr. in representing the 1^st district from 2010 to 2019. In 2019, Boying was named in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s narco-list He expressed dismay over the allegations and sought to file charges against those whol implicated him in the drug trade. He is running for mayor in 2025.

Alfonso Celeste
MAYOR, VICE MAYOR

• He is a brother of Arthur Sr. and Boying. Alfonso has been alternating between serving as Bolinao mayor and vice mayor since 2001. He returned to the mayoral post in 2022.

Arnold “Noli” Celeste
MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Noli alternated with his brothers Alfonso and Boying as Bolinao mayor from 2013 to 2019. Noli also became congressman of the 1^st district in 2019. Noli ran for Agno mayor but lost Gualberto Sison in 2022. He is running for vice mayor under Boying’s 2025 ticket.

Arth Bryan Celeste
MAYOR

• He is a son of Arthur Sr. Bryan became the youngest mayor of the Philippines in 2019 when he was elected at the age of 21. He is now seeking a third term as Alaminos mayor in 2025.

Arthur Celeste Jr.
COUNCILOR, PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER (EX-OFFICIO)

• He is the brother of Bryan and son of Arthur Sr. He is councilor of Bolinao and an ex-officio member of the provincial board. Arthur Jr. will run for Sual mayor against incumbent Liseldo “Dong” Calugay, who was implicated in the Alice Guo issue.

Richard Celeste
VICE MAYOR

• He is the son of Boying. He served as Bolinao vice mayor in 2019 and 2022.

ESPINO FAMILY

The Espino family is concentrated in Bautista, Bugallon, and the provincial capitol itself. The clan’s vertical succession from father to son in the provincial government represents one of the clearest examples of hereditary political continuity in Pangasinan.

Amado Espino Jr.
GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Amado Espino Jr. served three terms as Pangasinan governor from 2007 to 2016. A former constabulary officer, he also represented the 2^nd district from 2001 to 2007. He returned to Congress after being elected 5^th district representative in 2016. Amado was accused of receiving bribes from jueteng operators. He denied the accusation. In 2016, he was implicated in drug operations at the New Bilibid Prison. Former president Rodrigo Duterte later cleared his named and apologized. Also in the same year, Amado was slapped with a 90-day suspension by the Sandiganbayan over his alleged involvement in black sand mining. He survived an ambush in 2019.

Amado “Pogi” Espino III
COUNCILOR, MAYOR, PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER, GOVERNOR

• The son of Jr., Amado Espino III succeeded his father as governor from 2016 to 2022, maintaining the family’s firm grip on provincial leadership. Before this, he was a three-term mayor of Bautista, as well as a municipal councilor and provincial board member. In 2019, he was charged with graft for alleged irregularities in the construction of a sports over at the Alaminos City National High School. The charges did not prosper. He ran for a third term as governor in 2022 but lost to Ramon Guico III. Amado III is running again for governor in 2025.

Priscilla “Mely” Espino
MAYOR

• The wife Amado Jr. and mother of Amado III, Priscilla served as Bugallon mayor in 2019 and 2022.  

Jumel Anthony Espino
MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• The son of Amado Jr. and Priscilla, and brother of Amado III. Jumel was elected as mayor of Bugallon in 2013 and 2016. He became 2^nd district congressman in 2019 but lost reelection to incumbent Mark Cojuangco. Jumel is eyeing a return to the Bugallon mayoral post in 2025.

GUICO FAMILY

The Guico family started its political journey in Binalonan and has since expanded its reach to provincial and congressional levels. This transition from municipal to provincial roles illustrates a dynasty that is both expanding and modernizing its political footprint.

Ramon Guico Jr.
MAYOR, MEMBER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• He held office as mayor of Binalonan for a total of seven terms since the 1980s. Ramon Jr. became mayor as an appointee of then-president Corazon Aquino in 1987. He was elected representative of the 5^th district of Pangasinan in 2022. Ramon Jr. who is seeking reelection in 2025, is one of the lawmakers who signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Ramon “Mon-Mon” Guico III
GOVERNOR, MAYOR, MEMBER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Mon-Mon is the son of Ramon Jr. He started out as vice mayor and mayor of Binalonan. After three terms as mayor from 2010 to 2019, he became a member of the lower house as Pangasinan’s 5^th district representative. He was then elected governor in 2022 and is vying for reelection in 2025. His wife Maan is running for Mayor of Urdaneta City.

Ramon Ronald Guico IV
MAYOR

• Ronald, the brother of Mon-Mon and son of Ramon Jr. was elected mayor of Binalonan in 2022. He is seeking reelection in 2025

PRIMICIAS FAMILY

The Primicias family has participated in both local and national politics since the American colonial period, particularly in the legislative branch. Although the family’s political visibility has declined in recent decades, they have played a foundational role in shaping Pangasinan’s legislative representation.

Cipriano Primicias Sr.
SENATOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• He is the most prominent figure in the family. Cipriano Sr, was a senator during the post-war period from 1951 to 1963. From 1954 to 1962 he was the Senate majority floor leader. He was also elected as representative of Pangasinan’s 4^th district for three terms and is known as one of nine congressmen who opposed the Bell Trade Act for giving Americans equal access to the country’s natural resources.

Cipriano “Tito” Primicias Jr.
GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• The legacy of Cipriano Primicias Sr. was carried on by his son Tito, who served as the governor from 1967 to 1971. He was also a member of the House of Representatives from 1961 until his election as governor.

Corazon Primicias
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• The wife of Tito, Corazon, served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the 3^rd district from 1969 to 1972. She was the first woman to become Pangasinan’s 3^rd district representative.

Marlyn “Len” Primicias-Agabas
VICE GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Len is a relative of former senator Cipriano Primicias Sr., and the wife of former lawmaker Tyrone Agabas. She was elected as Pangasinan’s 6^th district representative from 2010 to 2010 and in 2022. Len also served as councilor, provincial board member, and vice governor. She authored Republic Act No. 11362 which imposes community service in lieu of jail time for minor offenses punishable by arresto menor and arresto mayor.  Len was one of the lawmakers who signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Tyrone Agabas
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Tyrone Agabas is related to the Primicias clan through his wife Len. He replaced his wife as representative of the 6^th district in 2019 until she returned to the post in 2022.

Alicia Primicias
MAYOR

• The sister of Len and a doctor by profession, Alicia the incumbent mayor of San Nicolas, currently in her second term.

PEREZ FAMILY

The Perez family maintained a localized political reach, sustaining influence particularly in various parts of the province, particularly in Urdaneta City. Their political clout continues to endure from the American period to the modern times.

Eugenio Perez
COUNCILOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• He served multiple terms as a member of the pre-war National Assembly from 1928 to 1941. After the war, he was elected 2^nd district representative from 1954 to 1957. During that stint, he became Speaker and Minority Leader. At one point, he served as president of the Liberal Party. Prior to joining the lower house, he was a municipal councilor of San Carlos. 

Primitivo Perez
MAYOR

• Don Primitivo served as mayor of San Manuel from 1934 to1940, and from 1956 to1963.

Laureano Perez
MAYOR

• The son of Don Primitivo also became mayor of San Manuel from 1964 to 1980 and from 1981 to 1984.

Salvador Perez Sr.
VICE MAYOR, MAYOR

• The son of Laureano, Salvador Sr. was San Manuel mayor from 1995 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2010. He also served as vice mayor from 2010 to 2019.

Salvador Perez Jr.
VICE MAYOR, MAYOR

• He is one of the sons of Salvador Sr. He served as San Manuel councilor from 2010 to 2016. Salvador Jr. is also a three-term provincial board member. 

Alain Jerico Perez
VICE MAYOR, MAYOR

• He is also a son of Salvador Sr. Alain was San Manuel mayor from 2010 to 2019. He was vice mayor in 2007 before running for the same post in 2019 and 2022. Alain is seeking reelection in tandem with his brother Kenneth Marco in 2025.

Kenneth Marco Perez
MAYOR

• Kenneth is a brother of Alain and Salvador Jr. He is the incumbent mayor of San Manuel who will vie for a third term in 2025.

Amadeo Perez Sr.
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• He served as Pangasinan’s 4^th district representative from 1949 to 1969.

Amadeo “Amadito” Perez Jr.
MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Amadito is the son of Amadeo Sr. He was elected as mayor of Urdaneta City for multiple terms between the 1960s and the 2000s. He was also a legislator for three terms during the 1990s. Aside from elective positions, he was a diplomat, having been a chairperson of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office or the de facto Philippine embassy in Taiwan during the Aquino III administration.

Amadeo Gregorio “Bobom” Perez IV
MAYOR

• Bobom is the son of Amadito. He continued his father’s legacy by serving as councilor and later as mayor of Urdaneta City from 2010 to 2019. 

Rosary Gracia “Chinky” Perez
PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER, COUNCILOR

• Chinky is the niece of Amadito and an incumbent provincial board member, having served the post for three terms. Before this, she was a councilor of Urdaneta City from 2007 to 2016.

Eduardo “Eddie” Perez
COUNCILOR

• The youngest brother of Amadito’s sons, Eddie served as a Urdaneta councilor from 1992 to 2001.

Jesus Perez
VICE MAYOR, MAYOR

• Unlike his other relatives, Jesus opened his political career in the town of Batista where he became vice mayor in 1988 and mayor from 1992 to 2001.

ESTRELLA FAMILY

Members of the Estrella family have been fixtures in various iterations of Congress since the 1950s. Two of them were even appointed to important cabinet posts, extending the family’s influence beyond Pangasinan.

Conrado Estrella Sr.
MAYOR, GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AGRICULTURE MINISTER

• He was mayor of Rosales before assuming the governorship from 1954 to 1963. Conrado Sr. was also a member of the old Batasang Pambansa, serving as assemblyman from 1978 to 1984 and from 1984 to 1986. He is also the country’s first agrarian reform minister in 1971.

Robert B. Estrella
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Robert is one of the sons of Conrado Sr. He was a 5^th district representative from 1969 to 1972 before Congress was abolished after martial law was declared.  

Conrado Estrella Jr.
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• He is one of the sons of Conrado Sr. Like his brother Robert, he also became 5^th district representative from 1987 to 1992.

Conrado Estrella III
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AGRARIAN REFORM SECRETARY

• He is the son of Robert. Conrado III was elected 6^th district representative from 1987 to 1992. He returned to the lower house in 2001 and stayed until 2010. From 2013 to 2022, he served as Abono Partylist representative. During that stretch, he became one of the deputy speakers of the lower house (2019-2022). Like his grandfather Conrado Sr, he was also appointed agrarian reform secretary by another Marcos president. Conrado III’s son Gilbert is running for 6^th district representative in 2025.

Robert Raymund “Eskimo” Estrella
PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Conrado III’s brother and son of Robert is a two-time provincial board member (2001 and 2004). He then won a congressional seat as Abono Partylist representative in 2007 and 2010 and returned to the same post in 2022. Eskimo and his brother Conrado III were charged by the National Bureau of Investigation in 2015 for malversation, direct bribery, and graft and corruption in relation to the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam. The charges remain pending before the Ombudsman. 

Pangasinan’s other families

As one of the largest provinces in the Philippines, Pangasinan’s 44 towns and four cities bore witness to the ascension of political families like the Agbayanis, Resuellos, and Castañedas from different decades. Some of them continue to actively participate in the political arena, serving various capacities in the executive and legislative branches. Other members have since retired from public office. 

Why Pangasinan Matters in 2025

In the 2025 midterm elections, Pangasinan’s congressional districts will be closely observed not only for local contests but also for their impact on national party coalitions. Control of Pangasinan’s governorship, key mayoralties, and congressional seats could tip the balance for opposition groups or cement administration allies’ hold on power. Its ethnically diversified population, which includes Sambal, Ilocano, and Pangasinense communities makes the province a microcosm of the political dynamics of the larger region. The province is also a crucial testing ground for campaign tactics because of its geographic and demographic variety, which compels politicians to appeal to a range of constituents.

The province’s political dynasties are likewise expected to play crucial roles in mobilizing resources and fueling Senate and House contests shaping the legislative landscape heading into the 2028 presidential elections, the outcome in Pangasinan will help forecast the direction of Philippine politics.