Members of same clans running against each other

In Philippine politics, especially during elections, political families unite against rival clans. But the allure of power may have become too irresistible. In some political families, members of the same family are now vying for the same post. At least 134 families have members who are gunning for the same elective position, data collected by GMA News Research said. Most of these inter-family political contests are taking place in Mindanao, where widespread election cheating has been reported. These contests are either between parent and child, between siblings, or between cousins or in-laws, an occurrence a professor calls "simulated competition." "(In a) simulated competition, the unwritten agreements are clear, acknowledged and enforceable," Professor Simeon Ilago, director of the Center for Local and Regional Governance of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance, said. "It is more of shutting out the competition or blanketing the area." But in other cases, real family conflicts arise because of several factors — all related to the waning influence of the clan patriarch, Ilago noted. "There could be real feuds because unwritten agreements among family members may no longer be tenable due to decline in influence or ascendancy of the clan or family leader. It can be due to health, old age, sibling rivalry or clan competition, say among cousins," Ilago said. These inter-family battles involve at least 126 local elective posts up for grabs on May 10-governor, vice governor, congressman, mayor and vice mayor. In at least seven cases, two to three sets of families — each fielding two members — are fighting over a single post. The same inter-family competition is present even in the race for the highest position of the land. Presidential candidates Sen. Benigno Simeon Aquino III and Gilberto Teodoro are cousins, both from the Cojuangco clan of Tarlac; and Sen. Richard Gordon and John Carlos de los Reyes, nephew of the senator, are from Gordon clan of Zambales. The Commission on Elections' (Comelec) list of local candidates shows many other cases of what seems to be bad blood within political families. But in many others, it appears as just a clever and calculated strategy to keep power within the family. Ampatuan patriarch runs against daughter These families with relatives vying for the same posts are scattered in 40 provinces. Metro Manila has at least one case in Quezon City's Second District — former congressman Dante Liban is up against a nephew, Voltaire Godofredo Liban III and nine others. Twenty-two percent, or 30 of the 134, are in Maguindanao.

The most notable example: the patriarch of Mindanao's most powerful political clan, Andal Ampatuan Sr., is running against daughter Shaydee Ampatuan-Abutazil and two others for vice governor of Maguindanao. Local sources noted that the Ampatuan clan fielded two candidates for the post as a back-up, noting that charges have been filed against the patriarch. Andal Sr., a three-term governor of Maguindanao, is among the clan members charged with multiple murder for the brutal massacre of 57 people in the province on November 23 last year. GMA News Research has identified at least 14 political families whose family members are slugging it out in various posts in the May polls. (see table) The Ampatuan clan of Maguindanao leads the pack, fielding two family members for each of the six local elective posts they want to occupy — the most for political families covered by the study. The candidates include the patriarch himself. The Ampatuans have candidates in many other local posts in Manguindanao. Members of the Sinsuat clan, also of Maguindanao, populate the list of candidates in three local posts-two relatives vying for each post.

The Uttos of Rajah Buayan, Matalams of Pagagawan, Mamalos of Sultan sa Barongis and Sumagkas of Talitay are the other Maguindanao clans who have two candidates each in two posts. So do the Duranos of Cebu; Tupases of Iloilo; Salcedos of Sara, Iloilo; Mirandas of Santiago, Ilocos Sur; Roas of Naawan, Misamis Oriental; Yaps of Glan, Sarangani; Abdurajaks of Old Panamao, Sulu; and Tulawies of Talipao, Sulu. The Salcedos, Abdurajaks, and Tulawies control their towns — both incumbent mayor and vice mayor are family members. A Miranda, Roa, and Yap are incumbent mayors in their respective towns. Cousins fighting cousins comprise the most number of competing relatives, numbering at least 40 pairs. (see table)

The 40 pairs of cousins include Maria Imelda "Imee" Marcos, eldest child of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, and Michael Marcos Keon, who is seeking reelection for Ilocos Norte governor. Two others are vying for the post. Keon admitted a crack within the Marcos clan. In a speech delivered at the provincial capitol, he said he felt "very sad" to be running against his first cousin Imee, who used to represent the province's Second District. In Cabanatuan City, Mayor Alvin Vergara is being challenged by his cousin, former three-term mayor Julius Cesar Vergara. In 2007, then Mayor Julius Cesar "anointed" Alvin, then a virtual unknown general manager of a local electric company, to replace him at the City Hall. Julius Cesar apparently wanted Alvin to just warm the seat for him until he comes back in 2010. The incumbent mayor, in a recent press conference, in effect admitted that he breached a gentleman's agreement with his cousin by filing his candidacy. Two pairs of cousins from the prominent political clans in Cebu are also facing off. For Cebu City mayor, among the contenders are former senator John Henry "Sonny" Osmeña and cousin Georgia Osmeña, who earlier said she rejected her cousin's offer to be his running mate. In the contest for Cebu Fifth District representative, cousins Ramon Durano VI, the incumbent congressman, and Jesus Durano Jr. are among the four candidates. Their rivalry stems from an existing conflict within the family; their fathers-brothers Jesus Durano and Ramon Durano Jr.-are both candidates for Danao City mayor. In Iloilo's Fifth District, incumbent Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. is seeking reelection and is up against two candidates including cousin and incumbent Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico, who was three-term congressman of the district before he assumed his current post. The rivalry in the Tupas family does not end there. In Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, cousins Felix Sedney Tupas and Niel Tupas III are the contenders. Niel III is a brother of incumbent Mayor Raul Tupas. Felix Sedney is the mayor's cousin. Three family members in race for same post In at least 10 cases, three family members are after the same post. (see table) In Iligan City, incumbent Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz is seeking reelection against an uncle, former three-term Lanao del Norte First District Rep. Alipio Cirilo "Tikbong" Badelles, and a cousin, Voltaire Lluch. Five others are after the post. In Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, incumbent Mayor Hubbert Christopher Dolor has as his opponents his uncle and incumbent Vice Mayor Aristeo Atienza and distant relative Zeus Atienza. Aristeo had anointed Hubbert as successor when he finished his three terms as mayor in 2007; they both won the elections that time, Hubbert defeating two of Aristeo's brothers. Of the five mayoral candidates in Matungao, Lanao del Norte, three are siblings-incumbent Mayor Jaber Asiz and brothers Saadah and Zabedin Azis. In Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao, incumbent Mayor Allandatu Angas is being challenged by his mother Dangkulila and sister Sittie Alma. One other candidate is vying for the post. In Nunungan, Lanao del Norte: reelectionist Mayor Abdul Manamparan is running against two relatives, a sibling and a cousin, both of whom have not held public post.

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Fighting spouses? The case of the Hagedorns of Palawan may also be a case of "simulated competition." Spouses Edward and Maria Elena Hagedorn were in the initial list of candidates for the mayoralty post in Puerto Princesa City along with two others. When they filed their certificates of candidacy in December last year, incumbent Mayor Edward Hagedorn was facing a disqualification case. When the Comelec junked the petition to disqualify Edward Hagedorn in January, Mrs. Hagedorn withdrew from the race. There are at least three sets of spouses who are seeking the same post. For the mayoralty post of Gen. S.K. Pendatun, Maguindanao: incumbent Bonnie Kali versus spouse Saguira. For the mayoralty post of Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte mayor: incumbent Maminta Dimakuta against spouse Hasna. For the mayoralty post of Altavas, Aklan: incumbent Kathryne Refol against husband, former three-term mayor Denny. Uncle/aunt up against nephew/niece At least 25 pairs of candidates have uncle/aunt-nephew/niece relationships. Among the three candidates for mayor of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, are incumbent Mayor Paulino Emano and his nephew, incumbent Vice Mayor Sergio Yap II. Also in Misamis Oriental, incumbent Sugbongcogon Mayor Jerome Lagbas is being challenged by his nephew, Roldan Lagbas. Uncle-nephew rivalries in Sulu involve the Estino clan for mayor of Panglima Estino town and the Loong clan for mayor of Parang. 23 pairs of siblings fight over same post There are at least 23 pairs of siblings fighting over a post, including the Durano brothers vying for Danao City mayor. In Davao del Sur, incumbent Vice Gov. Simplicio Latasa has four competitors including younger brother Arsenio, who is on his third and last term as Digos City mayor. The sibling rivalries in Maguindanao pit the incumbent against the brother who has no experience in government. Mamasapano Mayor Mohammad Bahnarin Ampatuan is being challenged by brother Tahirodin Benzar Ampatuan and two others. In Rajah Buayan, Mayor Yacob Ampatuan's contenders are brother Kuzbari Ampatuan and three others. Another case is that between brothers Amante II and Mark Anthony Purisima, both running for mayor of San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur. Amante II is the incumbent vice mayor; he was mayor from 2001 to 2007. Mark Anthony ran for mayor in 2007 but lost to his other brother Christian, who did not seek reelection and is now running for provincial board member to replace their mother, Azucena. Parent vs child The May polls will bear witness to at least 10 cases of parent-child rivalries. (see table) The race for the mayoralty post of Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao is one for the books: three of the four candidates share the same surname and middle name as siblings Allandatu and Sittie Alma Angas run against each other and against their mother, Dangkulila Angas. Allandatu is the incumbent mayor. In Bulacan province, incumbent San Rafael town Mayor Ricardo Silverio is fighting son and namesake Ricardo Jr., personally and politically. They are among the three candidates for congressman of the province's Third District; the third bet is incumbent Gov. Joselito Andrew "Jonjon" Mendoza, who has chosen to slide down. The post will be vacated by incumbent Rep. Lorna Silverio, Mayor Silverio's second wife who in turn is running for her husband's post. In October 2008, Ricardo Jr. went to the Makati police accusing his father and his bodyguards of mauling and throwing him out of the family's Urdaneta Village house. The family had been embroiled in various court cases involving properties of Ricardo Sr.'s deceased wife Beatriz, Ricardo Jr.'s mother. The older Ricardo has asked the Comelec to annul his son's candidacy. In Mabalacat, Pampanga, local news had reported that incumbent Mayor Marino Morales was saddened over the plan of his daughter, Marjorie Grace Morales-Sambo, to run against him in the mayoralty race. He is hoping that his daughter would change her mind and has offered her to join his ticket as candidate for councilor. But, unlike the Silverio and Morales pairs, there appears to be no bad blood between three-term Sulu Second District Rep. Abdulmunir Arbison and daughter Nadia Arbison-Alih. Both are among the seven candidates for governor of Sulu. Local sources said Alih, who held no previous elective post, is not campaigning.

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In-laws in competition for various positions At least 16 pairs of in-laws are rivals in various posts. In the island of Camiguin, the ruling Romualdo family will have to face an estranged member of the family, former Mambajao Mayor Noordin Romualdo. Noordin is running against his sister-in-law, reelectionist Mambajao Mayor Ma. Luisa Romualdo, wife of his brother and incumbent Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo. In the 2007 elections, Noordin ran for congressman of the Lone District but lost to his father, Pedro. In Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, incumbent Vice Mayor Matilde Sales is up against sister-in-law Emilen Sales, wife of outgoing Mayor Marlon Sales. Marlon and Matilde's husband, former Mayor Reynolan Sales, are brothers. One other candidate is vying for the post. In Tanay, Rizal, incumbent Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco seeks reelection. One of his two opponents is Lina Tanjuatco, wife of his brother and former mayor Tomas Ricardo Tanjuatco. - GMANews Research