EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the ninth 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 in office.

Quezon is the ninth vote-rich province in the country with more than 1.4
million voters for the upcoming 2025 elections. The province serves as the
connecting alley between the Tagalog and Bicol regions in the so-called
Lingayen-to-Lucena corridor. Some studies view Quezon as a demographic
laboratory where the voter specimen is mainly composed of Tagalos,
Bicolanos, and coastal communities. The province is also considered a
wellspring of civic energy flowing into an economy that thrives in agriculture,
tourism, and small enterprises.  Quezon is also the country’s top coconut
producer and second-largest rice producer in Southern Luzon, making it a
fertile ground for debate on food and farming issues. It is also steep in
political tradition, owing to the existence of some of the most enduring
political dynasties in Southern Luzon.

The Ateneo Policy Center identifies some of these dynasties in its database
covering elections from 1992 to 2022. News5 Digital provided historical
research to add context to each family list. Among the prominent surnames
in the list are the Suarez, Enverga, Tan, Alcala, and Tañada families.

SUAREZ FAMILY

Arguably the most dominant in recent decades, the Suarez family has held
important posts in both the provincial and congressional levels in the post-
Edsa years.

Courtesy: Philippine Star

Danilo “Danny” Suarez
GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● The Suarez dynasty began with him. Danny served multiple terms as
Quezon’s 3rd district representative (1992–2001, 2004–2013, and 2016–
2019), and briefly as governor from 2019 to 2022. He lost to
incumbent Angelina Tan in his 2022 reelection bid. While in the lower
house, he served as minority leader despite voting for Pampanga Rep.
Gloria Arroyo as House Speaker. Before retiring from Congress, Danny
filed a bill to create the Quezon-Bicol Expressway. He was also one of
the principal authors of the bill seeking to reinstate capital punishment.

Aleta Suarez
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● Danny’s wife Aleta represented the 3rd district of Quezon thrice (2001-
2004, 2013-2016, and 2019-2022).

David “Jay-Jay” Suarez
COUNCILOR, VICE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES

● Jay-Jay is the son of Danny and Aleta. He started his political career as
councilor of Unisan in 2001. Jay-Jay later ran for vice governor in 2004
before leaving Quezon politics to serve as Environment assistant
secretary until 2009. Upon his return, he was elected governor for
three terms (2010, 2013, 2016). In 2019, he won as 2nd district
representative and was reelected in 2022. He is running unopposed for
a third term in 2025.

Anna Villaraza-Suarez
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● The wife of Jay-Jay extended the family’s reach beyond the province
after winning a congressional seat as ALONA Partylist representative.

Donaldo “Jet” Suarez
COUNCILOR, PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER

● Jet is the brother of Jay-Jay. He was Unisan councilor from 2007 to 2017
before winning a seat in the provincial board in 2016, 2019, and 2022.

ENVERGA FAMILY

The Enverga family has wielded influence primarily through the 1st
congressional district. Their sustained political presence and governance in
Quezon is drawn mainly from the family’s decades-long contribution to
education and strong ties with national political parties like the Nationalist
People’s Coalition

Manuel S. Enverga
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● He served as Quezon’s 1st district representative from 1953 to 1969.
He was the founder of the Luzonian College, which later became the
Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation.

Courtesy: Trina Enverga Facebook Page

Wilfrido “Willie” Enverga
GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● He is the son of Manuel. Like his father, Willie also represented
Quezon’s 1st district from 1987 to 1998. As legislator, he principally
authored the Free Secondary Education Act, Foreign Service Act of
1991, New SSS Law and New GSIS Law, among others. He then
became governor from 1998 to 2007.

Mark Enverga
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● Mark is the son of Willie. He served multiple terms as representative of
Quezon’s 1st district from 2007 to 2016, and from 2019 until the
present. He is the spokesperson of the Nationalist People’s Coalition
since 2016. He has been the legislative caretaker of Valenzuela’s 1st
district since 2023, after Rex Gatchalian was appointed secretary of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Anna Katrina “Trina” Enverga-de la Paz
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● Mark’s sister Trina was a representative of Quezon’s 1st District from
2016 to 2019.

TAN FAMILY

The Tan family is one of the emerging political clans in the country. Its rise to
power in the province was fueled by victories over more well-entrenched
families in recent elections. They have since consolidated power and
influence from the grassroots level and into the capitol.

Courtesy: Angelina “Helen” Tan Facebook Page

Angelina “Helen” Tan
GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● The Tan political dynasty in Quezon is anchored by Helen, a medical
doctor-turned-politician who served three consecutive terms as the
representative of Quezon’s 4th District (2013–2019) before becoming
the first female governor of the province in 2022, defeating veteran
politician Danilo Suarez. As legislator, she principally authored the
Universal Health Care Act, Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for Senior
Citizens, and the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, among others. She is
running unopposed for a second term as governor in 2025.

Keith Micah “Atorni Mike” Tan
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● Mike succeeded his mother Helen in Congress, winning the 4th district
seat in 2022. He is now eyeing reelection unopposed in 2025. His
brother Kim is running for provincial board member in 2025.

ALCALA FAMILY

The Alcala family, based in Lucena City and nearby localities, illustrates a
broad spectrum of office-holding hinged on proven political machinery,
popularity, and strong rapport with the masses in Quezon. The family is
known for significant contributions to agriculture, environmental legislation,
and local governance.

Anacleto Alcala Sr.
GOVERNOR

● The Alcala patriarch was the governor of Quezon from 1964 until 1980.

Courtesy: Angelina “Helen” Tan Facebook Page

Proceso “Procy” Alcala
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AGRICULTURE
SECRETARY

● Anacleto’s nephew Proceso served as the representative of Quezon’s
2nd district from 2004 to 2010 before his appointment as Agriculture secretary during the administration of the late former president
Noynoy Aquino. As congressman, he co-authored the Climate Change
Act and the Expanded Senior Citizens Act. But he was also implicated
in controversies such as the pork barrel scam. In 2017, the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal from service as Agriculture secretary over charges of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the public, which stemmed from the misuse of ₱13.5 million for the construction of the Quezon Corn Trading and Processing Center and procurement irregularities. Since his tenure as secretary has ended, he was only fined.

Vicente “Kulit” Alcala
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● Kulit is a brother of Proceso. He was a three-term provincial board
member (2001, 2004, 2007) before being elected vice governor in
2010. He then shifted to Congress, winning as 2nd district
representative in 2013 and 2016. Kulit ran for governor in 2019 but lost
to Danilo Suarez. His daughter Vinette is an incumbent provincial board
member.

Anacleto “Third” Alcala III
VICE GOVERNOR, COUNCILOR

Courtesy: Mark Alcala Facebook Page

● Third, the grandson of Anacleto Sr, served as a Lucena City councilor
from 2013 to 2022, before being elected vice governor. He is seeking
reelection in 2025.

Roderick “Dondon” Alcala
COUNCILOR, VICE MAYOR, MAYOR

● A nephew of Proceso, Dondon was a Lucena City councilor (1998-2007)
before becoming mayor from 2012 to 2022. In 2022, he was elected
vice mayor of the city and is eyeing a second term in 2025.

Mark Alcala
MAYOR

● Mark, the son of Dondon, is Lucena City’s youngest mayor, winning via landslide in 2022. He is again the family’s standard-bearer in the city
with his father as running mate in 2025.

TAÑADA FAMILY

Once a nationally recognized name, the Tañada family has had limited but
notable presence in Quezon politics from the American period until the early
years of the 2010s. The family is known as a staunch defender of human
rights and good governance, which laid a strong foundation for their
continued political relevance despite not being away from the political arena
in the recent elections.

Courtesy: Lorenzo M. Tañada website

Lorenzo Martinez “Ka Tanny” Tañada Sr.
SENATOR

● Often referred as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Politics,” he is the
longest-serving senator in the country (1947-1971). He also served as
Solicitor General for two terms (1940-1941, 1945-1947). He is the
founder of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and Free Legal
Assistance Group (FLAG).

Wigberto “Bobby” Tañada
SENATOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● Bobby is a son of Ka Tanny. Like his father, he was also elected senator
(1987-1995) and represented the 4th district (1995–2001) in the lower
house. He led the “Magnificent 12” or the group of senators who voted
to reject a new lease for the Subic Bay Naval Base, effectively expelling
the US Navy in the country in 1991. Bobby was also part of the
prosecution panel in the impeachment case of former president Joseph
Estrada. He became the chairman of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani
Foundation from 2016 to 2022.

Courtesy: Liberal Party Facebook Page

Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

● He is Bobby’s son who later served in the 4th district of Quezon from
2004 to 2013. He is an author of the Anti-Torture Act, the Philippine Act
on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and
Other Crimes Against Humanity, and the Renewable Energy Act.

Cirilo Tañada
MAYOR

● He served as mayor of Gumaca from 1986 to 1995.

Tañada Gobernadorcillos/ Municipal Presidents/ Mayors

● The Tañada family have held the top leadership post in the town of
Gumaca as early as 1895. The oldest in the family to become
gobernadorcillo (municipal president) based on available records was
Don Vicente Tañada. He was succeeded by relatives from 1909 to
1967. Interestingly, the municipal president or mayor in 1909 was
Tomas Tañada. His son Tomas Jr. became mayor from 1964 to 1967.

Why Quezon matters in 2025
Quezon is an appealing piece of the electoral pie in 2025. The sizable
electorate spread across 39 municipalities, and one city makes Quezon a
crucial battleground for candidates and political parties seeking to corner
votes in local and national positions. As the midpoint between Calabarzon
and the Bicol region, the province is a thriving economic hub outside Metro
Manila which local leaders see as a crucial talking point to draw national
attention. Politicians from Quezon may not figure prominently in recent
years, but their names and number remain vital for pushing or obstructing
administration plans in the region. With a province driven by agriculture, tourism, and small enterprises, Quezon voters are likely to look for candidates who have tailored their platforms to these sectors as priorities. This suggests a shift in opinion from personality to policy politics. The province is not yet out of the woods in terms of addressing communist insurgency. The Commission on Elections placed certain towns under “orange category” due to serious threats from the New People’s Army. Overall, effective leadership in Quezon is vital to sustain regional development so that electoral outcomes can flourish beyond the typical campaign grind and politics-as-usual.