In the 2025 local elections, Mark Anthony Santos’ win in Las Piñas was hailed by many as a revolutionary blow against entrenched political dynasties. But behind the cheers and viral headlines lies a deeper truth: Santos didn’t defeat the Aguilar-Villar dynasty—he rode its internal fractures to power.
Las Piñas, long known as the bastion of the Aguilar-Villar political empire, remains firmly in their grip. Senator Cynthia Villar, once the city’s representative, is a key pillar of the dynasty that has ruled the city for decades. Her daughter, Camille Villar, soared among the top senatorial candidates in Las Piñas, securing strong support from the family’s power base. The city’s current Mayor and Vice Mayor? Both are Aguilars. And the council? Still populated by at least three Aguilar family members.
It is within this dynastic landscape that Santos emerged—not as an outsider breaking the system, but as a candidate who benefitted from the family's rare internal discord.
A House Divided, But Still Standing
What many voters failed to see through the noise of campaign season was a strategic fracture within the Aguilar clan. Multiple Aguilar family members ran for key positions, splitting the vote base that usually consolidated behind a single heir apparent. Instead of presenting a united front, the dynasty fielded competing candidates—an unusual and risky political maneuver that paved the way for a non-family name to slip through the cracks.
Enter Mark Anthony Santos.
Running under the Aguilar banner, Santos was not the rebel many thought he was. His campaign quietly aligned with some of the Aguilars, ensuring he wasn’t challenging the dynasty so much as navigating through its temporary divisions. He didn’t tear down a political machine—he simply outpaced the other cogs.
Political observers suggest that this split was not accidental. It may have been a calculated decision to retain control regardless of outcome. By fielding multiple candidates across different factions of the family, the dynasty ensured that no matter who won, their interests would remain protected. Santos, intentionally or not, became part of that strategy.
The Dynasty Still Rules
The idea that Santos’ win signals a new chapter for Las Piñas politics is premature at best, misleading at worst. The dynasty is still deeply entrenched:
Camille Villar’s popularity is growing—her Senate win reinforced the family's national influence.
Local government remains dominated by Aguilars from top to bottom, including executive and legislative positions.
Policy direction, power consolidation, and influence networks remain unchanged.
Even Santos, whether willingly or due to political necessity, must now navigate a city hall surrounded by Aguilar loyalists. Without structural changes, the same power dynamics continue—just with a new name at the front.
False Hope in a Familiar Game
The bigger issue at play is the illusion of choice. When political dynasties fracture, they don’t lose—they diversify. Voters are presented with the façade of opposition, but behind the scenes, alliances, deals, and legacies continue as usual.
Mark Anthony Santos may be mayor, but Las Piñas is still very much under the political gravity of the Aguilar-Villar dynasty. Until the electorate sees past surface-level narratives and demands deeper systemic reforms—such as an Anti-Political Dynasty Law—true political renewal will remain elusive.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale
Santos’ ascent is not a David vs. Goliath tale. It is a Shakespearean subplot—a family divided, a new face elevated, but the throne unchanged.
For Las Piñas residents hoping for real change, the challenge isn’t just voting in a new mayor. It’s understanding the game they’ve been asked to play—and demanding a new one entirely.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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