EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the eighth 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.  

(May 10, 2025) — Heading into the 2025 midterm elections, Davao del Sur stands as a crucial battleground. As the vote-rich province in the Philippines and a key frontier in the region’s political landscape, Davao del Sur commands massive influence in both local governance and national outcomes. At the heart of the province is Davao City, home to high-profile political figures. This geopolitical make-up sets Davao del Sur as a valuable political site for national parties looking to consolidate support in the south. It is a province that has never lost its splendor in the theater of competitive elections, especially during mid-terms, where the emphasis is to elect and empower leaders who can address national concerns (i.e. peace and order, poverty alleviation, stable prices of goods) though local means, since Mindanao is far from the capital. For years, Davaoeños have entrusted their collective hopes to a handful of families who have either effectively dispensed or casually disregarded their mandate. 

An in-depth look at electoral data compiled by the Ateneo Policy Center from 1992 to 2022 and historical research from News5 Digital reveals how the province’s political destiny was directed by four enduring dynasties: the Almendras, Cagas, Duterte, and Nograles families. Their history shows how political families maintain control through office rotation, intergenerational succession, and geographic dominance. These dynasties are not only historical artifacts — most of them remain active players in the 2025 race.

ALMENDRAS FAMILY

The Almendras family has been a fixture of Mindanao politics since the post-war period. Their influence spans both local and national levels and showcases a textbook case of political entrenchment through vertical (local to national) and generational succession.

Alejandro Almendras, Sr. – SENATOR, GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

He began his political career as governor of Davao province from 1951 to 1958, long before Davao was subdivided. He then served as a senator from 1959 to 1972, maintaining a national presence throughout the Marcos years. During this time, he also returned to local leadership as Governor (1986–1988) after the EDSA Revolution. He later served in the House of Representatives in 1978–1986 (Batasang Pambansa) and again in 1992, exemplifying long-term retention of legislative power.

Alejandro Almendras Jr. – MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• The son of Alejandro Sr., he continued the tradition, serving as representative of Davao del Sur in 1995. 

Aileen Almendras – VICE GOVERNOR

• Another Almendras relative, Aileen served as vice governor of the province from 2010 to 2019.

• Alexis, the father of Aileen Almendras, took on more localized roles in public office. He was city councilor of Davao City from 1988 to 2004. He was a three-term vice mayor of Santa Cruz (2007, 2010, 2013), before becoming mayor in 2016.

CAGAS FAMILY

The Cagas family is among the most entrenched political clans in Davao del Sur, exhibiting generational and multi-member dominance over both legislative and executive positions for decades.

Douglas Ralota Cagas – GOVERNOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• He is the family patriarch who served as Davao representative for multiple terms from 1984 to 2004, and later as governor from 1988 to 1992, then again from 2007 onward until his death in 2021. His long tenure spanned the Marcos-era Batasang Pambansa to the post-Edsa democratic legislatures, and his final return to the governorship solidified his enduring hold on provincial politics.

Mercedes Cagas – MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER

• The wife of Douglas played a substantial role in the family’s political network, as provincial board member from 2004 to 2010, and later as representative, serving three consecutive terms from 2013 to 2019. Her presence ensured continuity of influence during periods when Douglas occupied the gubernatorial post.

Marc Douglas Cagas IV – MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, VICE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR

• The son of Douglas and Mercedes, Marc further extended the family’s reach, serving as representative of Davao del Sur from 2007 to 2010, then as vice governor from 2019 to 2021, before ascending to the governorship in 2022 following his father’s death.  

Yvonne R. Cagas – GOVERNOR

• She is the wife of Marc. In 2022, Yvonne won the gubernatorial seat, replacing her husband. Yvonne will run for another term as governor in 2025.

Raife “Ai-Ai” Fernandez-Cagas – VICE GOVERNOR

• Ai-ai is the current vice governor of Davao del Sur. She is seeking reelection in 2025.

John Tracy Cagas – COUNCILOR, VICE GOVERNOR, CONGRESSMAN

• He is a cousin of Marc. He began his political career as Digos City councilor in 1998. After taking a leave from politics, John Tracy returned in 2013 and served as provincial board member until 2021, when he ascended into the vice gubernatorial post after Marc became governor. In 2022, he was elected representative of the lone district of Davao del Sur. He was the only Davao congressman who voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.

Josef Cagas – COUNCILOR, MAYOR

• A cousin of Marc, he has been mayor of Digos City since 2019. Before becoming mayor, he served as city councilor from 2007 to 2016. Josef is seeking his last term as mayor in 2025. 

DUTERTE FAMILY

The Duterte family’s political dynasty is perhaps the most nationally prominent to emerge from the Davao region, with roots firmly planted in Davao City but influence that extends well into Davao del Sur and broader Mindanao. While no Duterte has formally held office within Davao del Sur, the family’s control over Davao City — historically part of the province before the 1967 reorganization — means their political decisions, networks, and electoral base significantly shape the province’s political environment.

Vicente Duterte – GOVERNOR

• The family’s patriarch served as governor of the then-undivided Davao province from 1959 to 1965. He played a crucial role in the early development of Mindanao’s political institutions following the migration influx from the Visayas and Luzon during the post-war years. His governorship laid the foundation for the Duterte family’s local stature.

Rodrigo Roa Duterte – PRESIDENT, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR

• Digong is the son of Vicente. He first entered politics as vice mayor of Davao City in 1986, following the Edsa Revolution. He became mayor in 1988, initiating what would become a nearly unbroken stretch of Duterte leadership in the city across multiple terms: 1988 to 1998, 2001 to 2010, and 2013 to 2016. He served as mayor in 2010, allowing his daughter Sara to assume the mayoralty while maintaining control over city policy. Digong also served one term in Congress, from 1998 to 2001.

• In 2016, Digong made history by becoming the first Philippine president from Mindanao. His six-year term featured strongman rhetoric, a controversial drug war, and heightened regional nationalism — all of which reinforced the Duterte brand in southern provinces, including Davao del Sur. 

• Almost three years after he stepped down, authorities arrested the former president and surrendered him to the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he could face trial over killings linked to his anti-drug policy. He is running for Davao City mayor in 2025.

Sara Duterte – MAYOR, VICE PRESIDENT, EDUCATION SECRETARY

• The second among Digong’s children, Sara became the first female mayor of Davao City in 2010. She later returned to the post in 2016 and served until 2022. She was elected vice president in 2022 and concurrently served as Secretary of Education. Sara resigned from the Marcos Jr. cabinet and was accused by opposition lawmakers over alleged misuse of confidential funds as Education secretary. She now faces impeachment raps before the Senate. 

Paolo “Pulong” Duterte – VICE MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Digong’s eldest son and older brother of Sara served as vice mayor of Davao City (2013–2017) and is currently a congressman of the 1st district of Davao City. He also became a Deputy House Speaker. In 2017, he resigned as vice mayor following drug smuggling and corruption allegations of then-senator Antonio Trillanes. The Ombudsman dismissed the drug cases against him. He will seek a third term as 1st district representative in 2025. His son Rigo is running for 1st district councilor while another son Omar is eyeing the 2nd district seat in 2025.  

Sebastian “Baste” Duterte – MAYOR

• Baste, the youngest son of Digong’s sons, was elected mayor of Davao City in 2022, following Sara’s vice-presidential run. He is the third Duterte to hold the city’s top post since the 1980s, underscoring the family’s nearly uninterrupted control of the city’s executive office for more than 35 years. Baste also served as vice mayor in 2019. He will run for the same post in 2015 as his father’s running mate.

Benjamin Duterte – COUNCILOR

• He is one of Digong’s brothers. He served as Davao City councilor from 1998 to 2001.

NOGRALES FAMILY

The Nograles family represents a prominent legislative dynasty in Davao, wielding political power primarily through congressional and party-list representation.

Prospero “Boy” Nograles – MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

• Boy is one of the most significant political figures to emerge from Mindanao. He served as representative of Davao City during multiple terms — 1989 to 1992, and then in 1995, 2001, 2004, and 2007. His tenure culminated in his appointment as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010, marking the first time a Mindanaoan held the chamber’s top position. He ran for Davao City mayor in 2010 but lost to Sara Duterte. Boy later supported his long-time rival Digong in the 2016 presidential election.

Karlo Alexei Nograles – MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CABINET SECRETARY

• Karlo, the son of Boy, succeeded him as Davao City 1st district representative in 2010, 2013, and 2016. He later transitioned to the executive branch as Cabinet Secretary under President Rodrigo Duterte, a post that extended his influence into national policy formulation. He also served as acting Presidential spokesperson from 2021 to 2022 before being appointed chairman of the Civil Service Commission. He will face his former boss Digong in the 2025 mayoral race.

Jericho Jonas “Koko” Nograles – MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Koko is the son of Boy and a brother of Karo. He held a congressional seat under the Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list in 2016 and 2019. 

Margarita “Migs” Nograles – MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Migs won a seat in the lower house as a representative of Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list in 2022. She is seeking to take the 1st district seat from Paolo Duterte in the 2025 election.

Gerardo Nograles – COUNCILOR

• An earlier figure in the Nograles family, Gerardo served as councilor of Davao City from 1988 to 1992.

Why Davao del Sur and Davao City matter in 2025

As of 2022, Davao del Sur remains one of the most electorally significant provinces in Mindanao, with a voting population that plays a crucial role in national elections. Its location — adjacent to Davao City — and its control by dynastic networks make it a bellwether for regional support. In 2025, national parties are likely to court the support of the Davao del Sur political families to secure a foothold in Mindanao. Davao City is expected to be a political center gravitating to the Duterte family and its massive base of loyal supporters which can transcend yet again city and provincial boundaries. The ICC arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte and perceived political persecution of other members of his family like Vice President Sara Duterte have bolstered the Duterte brand once more, with key allies in local and national races surging in electoral surveys. 

The so-called “Duterte effect” anchored on results-based governance and authenticity has reverberated across Davao del Sur and the entire Davao region since 2016. It is interesting to see how this effect would persist beyond elections and impact other political families within and outside Davao del Sur. As dynastic entrenchment continues to shape local democracy, understanding these families’ trajectories provides valuable insight into how provincial politics influences national power.