MANILA, Philippines – The Barzaga dynasty of Dasmariñas, Cavite, secured the top three local posts in the province’s most vote-rich city in the 2025 elections.
Dasmariñas Mayor Jennifer Barzaga, the family matriarch, won her reelection bid after obtaining 256,606 votes as of past 3 pm on Monday, May 13, based on the partial, unofficial count of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), with 98.57% of election results transmitted. Her closest opponent, Vale Encabo, got 65,138 votes.
Political newbie Elpidio “Third” Barzaga will be his mother’s vice mayor. He obtained 241,524 votes, compared to the 49,340 votes garnered by his closest rival Oly Rementilla.
In Cavite’s 4th District, which covers only Dasmariñas, Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga is set to succeed his late father Elpidio Barzaga Jr., who died in April 2024.
Kiko received 163,578 votes, compared to Leysander Ordenes’ 148,443.
Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma fielded a complete slate in an attempt to challenge the Barzagas, but they were no match to the machinery of the political family that has ruled city hall since 1998 and has the backing of the National Unity Party, one of the major political parties in in the country.
In the run-up to the polls, the opposition tried to make access to water a talking point, as residents suffer from constant water interruptions.
The water district is operated by PrimeWater, the utility firm owned by the Villars.
Despite residents’ complaints, the Barzagas endorsed the senatorial bid of Deputy Speaker Camille Villar. – Rappler.com