A member of one of Negros Occidental’s “most enduring political families” publicly backed legislation that seeks to curb political succession, even as dynasties strengthened their hold across Negros Island and nearby provinces in the latest elections.
Speaking at the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation consultation at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) in Bacolod City on Friday, February 13, Himamaylan Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao declared his support for the pending anti-political dynasty bills despite his clan’s deep roots in provincial politics.
Now on his last term, Gatuslao serves alongside his aunt, Rita Gatuslao, who represents the 5th District in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
“I belong to a political clan — one often described as among the most enduring in the province yet I am here with you today to say plainly and clearly without hesitation that I support the passage of an anti-political dynasty bill,” Gatuslao said.
He said years of internal rivalries, political tensions, and difficult family conversations shaped his position.
“Political families may wield influence, but we remain human families — with tensions, expectations and complexities,” he said.
Lawmakers have filed six anti-political dynasty bills in the Senate. Gatuslao urged Congress to prohibit succession to the same elective office among relatives within the third or fourth degree — a pattern that continues to define local politics.
“For generations, families have passed positions from parent to child, sibling to spouse, cousin to cousin,” he said. “We must break that chain to create real competition and strengthen institutions beyond personalities.”
Regional races
The latest election results underscored the persistence of political families across Negros and neighboring provinces, as earlier reported by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).
In Negros Oriental, Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria won the gubernatorial race and defeated Pryde Henry Teves. His father won the Dumaguete City mayoralty, his mother captured the 2nd District congressional seat, and his sister secured a city council post — consolidating the family’s influence in the province.
In Siquijor, Governor Zaldy “Jecoy” Villa secured a second term, while his son topped the congressional race in the province’s lone district.
In Negros Occidental, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson won his final term, while Jose Benito Alonso secured the vice governorship.
In the province’s 6th District, Representative Mercedes Alvarez won her final term in Congress. Her niece Angelica Alvarez won a seat on the Sipalay City Council, and her nephew Ralf Alvarez secured a seat on the Provincial Board.
In Bacolod City, Representative Greg Gasataya won the mayoralty, while Mayor Albee Benitez captured the congressional seat. Benitez’s son, Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez, won the 3rd District congressional race in Negros Occidental.
Similar alignments
In Cadiz City, Salvador Escalante won the mayoralty alongside his nephew Vincent Escalante, who secured the vice mayoralty.
In Ilog town, Mayor John Paul Alvarez retained his post, while his son, John Paulo Alvarez, won the vice mayoralty — forming a father-and-son leadership tandem.
In Himamaylan City, Raymund Tongson won the mayoralty, while his cousins currently serve as barangay chairpersons in the city.
In Sipalay City, Mayor Gina Montilla-Lizares and her brother, Vice Mayor Oscar Montilla, both secured final terms.
Meanwhile, in Hinoba-an, Mayor Daph Reliquias works alongside his brother, first-term Councilor GB Reliquias.
Some races, however, disrupted long-standing dominance.
In Bago City, Mayette Javellana-Yao defeated Ramon Torres of the Torres-Yulo clan and ended decades of rule by the political family.
In Kabankalan City, Mayor Benjie Miranda won a second term, while his wife, former teacher Divina Miranda, won her first term as vice mayor. Local observers credited the Miranda tandem with ending the decades-long Zayco political dominance in the city.
Senate push
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the electoral reforms panel, said lawmakers now see stronger momentum for the anti-dynasty measure.
“For the first time, six senators have filed bills. In the House, 22 lawmakers — including the Speaker and Majority Leader — have filed similar measures,” she said in Filipino.
She added that the Legislative–Executive Development Advisory Council included the proposal in its priority legislative agenda.
Hontiveros said the Senate aims to pass an anti-political dynasty measure before the end of March.
The Bacolod consultation marked the first Visayas leg of public hearings on the proposed “Kontra Dinastiya” bill.
The committee gathered local officials, former legislators, lawyers, academics, labor leaders, and students to strengthen regional participation in the debate.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.