The Aguilar-Villar Hold on Las Piñas: Why Mark Santos’ Victory Isn’t the Anti-Dynasty Triumph It Seems

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

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.

A National Reckoning: The Fall of Artista Politics and the Gathering Storm of 2028

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Crumbling of a Facade

What the Philippines witnessed in the most recent senatorial race was nothing short of a political reckoning — a seismic, full-throated rejection of celebrity politics that once held the electorate in its hypnotic grip.

Ben Tulfo, Bong Revilla, Manny Pacquiao, Philip Salvador, Willie Revillame. All of them — decimated at the polls. It wasn’t just a loss. It was annihilation. A decisive end to the illusion that name recall and showbiz fame could substitute for competence, policy depth, and moral clarity.

And while Lito Lapid remains the lone survivor of this crumbling archetype, it is clear: the Filipino people have had enough.

Even Monsour Del Rosario, Lucky Manzano, Mocha Uson, and Marco Gumabao — familiar faces once thought to have political traction — were steamrolled in what can only be described as electoral Armageddon. The people, it seems, no longer want screen time; they want substance.

This is not just a blip. This is a cultural shift.

The Death Knell for Alyansa

But the political bloodbath didn’t end there. The Alyansa slate, backed by the Marcos administration, collapsed in spectacular fashion.

It was more than a loss — it was a repudiation.

The slate’s failure mirrored the administration’s plummeting numbers: Bongbong Marcos' approval rating now languishes at 24%, even lower than Joe Biden at his most unpopular. House Speaker Martin Romualdez fares worse, with a trust rating of 14% — dipping below the darkest moments of Nancy Pelosi’s political career.

The message is unmistakable.

The electorate has opened its eyes. The dazzle of “Unity” has faded, replaced by the harsh glow of unmet promises, tone-deaf policies, and a presidency that squandered the most generous mandate in modern Philippine history.

Bongbong Marcos' political resurrection — once touted as the most audacious and historic in global democratic politics — has floundered under the weight of its own vanity. He was handed a golden opportunity to rewrite the Marcos legacy. Instead, the silver spoon became a gag.

Tulfo’s Tumult and the Rise of Purpose-Driven Politics

Equally stunning was the fall of Ben Tulfo — a shocker given the Tulfo brand’s media dominance. His brother Erwin, once also considered a powerhouse, fell silent and saw his poll numbers nosedive.

The collapse is telling. In an age where charisma is no longer enough, it’s the cause that matters.

Bong Go, Bam Aquino, Bato dela Rosa, Kiko Pangilinan, Rodante Marcoleta — their campaigns soared not because of spectacle, but because they stood for something.

They refused to kneel. They drew lines in the sand. They offered visions — some divisive, others idealistic — but all deliberate.

The Gathering Storm of 2028

What comes next is the reckoning.

The stage is now set for what will be the most defining political battle of our generation: DDS vs. Yellows and Pinks — a revolutionary rubber match.

On one side:

The Diehard Duterte Supporters, a movement like no other. Tens of millions across classes B to E, galvanized by a deeply emotional connection to the Davao strongman. If Rodrigo Duterte — now facing potential prosecution in the Hague — becomes a martyr or even just an ailing hero, the resulting surge of loyalty will elevate his image to stratospheric heights. Martin Luther King. Mandela. Gandhi. The DDS will make sure Duterte is remembered in the same breath.

On the other side:

The Pink Movement, whose momentum did not die in 2022. Fueled by idealism, intellectual rigor, and a new generation of youth voters, they’ve only grown stronger. From 15 million believers, their numbers have quietly swelled. They have passion, organization, and a sense of moral mission.

Expect 2028 to pit Sara Duterte, Bong Go, and Robin Padilla against Leni Robredo, Bam Aquino, and Kiko Pangilinan.

It will be a clash of political titans — fueled by revenge, redemption, and raw vision.

Not since the revolutionary days of EDSA have the ideological divides in this country been this pronounced, this visceral, this real.

No More Spectacle Without Substance

The Filipino people are no longer content with laugh tracks, action scenes, or late-night variety shows masquerading as policy.

We are witnessing the emergence of a discerning electorate. One that refuses to be manipulated by name recognition or dramatic monologues. One that demands vision and virtue in equal measure.

This recent electoral result is a cultural earthquake. The aftershocks will reverberate well into 2028.

And when the dust settles, one thing will be clear:

The age of artista politics is dying.

A new era — volatile, electric, and transformative — is being born.

Brace yourselves. The real fight is just beginning.

Battle for Pasig: Midterm Election 2025 Unfolds as Political Titans and New Challengers Clash for the City’s Future

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The battle lines are drawn, the stage is set, and the drums of democracy thunder once more as Pasig City braces itself for one of the most compelling midterm elections in its history. The 2025 polls promise more than just a political contest—it’s a war of ideologies, legacies, and ambitions as seasoned public servants face off against rising challengers eager to stake their claim in the city’s evolving narrative.

Giting ng Pasig: The Incumbent Powerhouse

Leading the charge of the administration slate—Giting ng Pasig—are familiar and formidable faces.

Congressman Roman Romulo, known for his legislative finesse and unwavering support for educational and welfare programs, seeks another term in the House of Representatives. His stronghold on policy-making and quiet-but-effective leadership continues to earn him respect and loyalty across party lines.

Mayor Vico Sotto, the millennial icon of good governance, remains the face of Pasig’s transformation. His administration has been marked by transparency, anti-corruption efforts, and people-centric policies. Loved by many, feared by the old guards of traditional politics, Sotto’s re-election bid is expected to be a litmus test of sustained progressive leadership.

Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski, the basketball legend turned public servant, complements the mayor’s vision with his grassroots connection and sports-driven youth empowerment initiatives. Their tandem continues to inspire hope, especially among the younger generation of voters.

Council Lineup – District 1 (Giting ng Pasig)

A mix of tested leaders and passionate reformists:

Volta Delos Santos (4)

Eric Gonzales (6) – a relentless advocate for community healthcare

Kiko Rustia (11) – environmentalist and media personality turned civic leader

Pao Santiago (13)

Paul Senogat (14)

Simon Romulo Tantoco (15) – tying the legacy of the Romulo family with fresh perspectives

Council Lineup – District 2 (Giting ng Pasig)

Engr. Noel “Buboy” Agustin (1) – the engineer with a vision for infrastructure development

Angelu De Leon (8) – actress and advocate for women and children

Ryan Enriquez (10) – youth empowerment champion

Warren Inocencio (13)

Maro Martires (14) – “#KMM” known for bridging barangay needs to the city hall

Boyie Raymundo (15) – steady hand in community governance

Team Kaya This: The Challenger Bloc

Not to be overshadowed, Team Kaya This emerges with a fiery passion to take back city hall and reshape Pasig with a bold, alternative vision.

Atty. Ian Sia (2) leads their congressional bid, armed with legal acumen and promises of a more aggressive legislative oversight on city policies.

Sarah Discaya (2) steps up for the mayoralty with her platform focusing on inclusive social programs and revitalized public health strategies.

Iyo Caruncho Bernardo (1), a name synonymous with the influential Caruncho clan, attempts to reclaim their once-unshakable political turf as he guns for Vice Mayor. His presence adds both gravitas and tension to the race.

Council Lineup – District 1 (Team Kaya This)

Ron Angeles (1)

Kap. Richie Pua (9)

Atty. Tristan Ambrosio Reyes (10)

JR Samson (12)

Rex Balderrama (2)

Kap. Jess Gaviola (5)

Council Lineup – District 2 (Team Kaya This)

Ara Mina Almarinez (2) – showbiz meets service with a social advocacy agenda

Jun-Jun Concepcion (6)

Kaye Dela Cruz (9) – popular among the youth vote

Steve De Asis (7)

Willy Sityar (16) – a wildcard with a fiercely loyal grassroots base

A City Divided Yet Empowered

Pasig City is not merely witnessing an election—it is watching a reckoning. This 2025 midterm contest will define the city’s direction: Will it continue its crusade of modernized governance under Mayor Sotto and his allies? Or will it shift towards the seasoned and strategic machinery of Team Kaya This, promising revitalization under traditional roots reinvented?

The electorate is more discerning than ever. With increased access to information and a heightened sense of civic duty, Pasigueños are no longer swayed by mere names or campaign jingles. They demand results. They seek transparency. They crave integrity.

The Final Countdown

With both camps fielding strong contenders and the political atmosphere heating up, only one thing is certain—Pasig is at the brink of another defining moment.

Will the Giting ng Pasig team prevail, riding on the coattails of reform and innovation? Or will Team Kaya This stage a dramatic comeback that could shift the tides of city governance?

Come May 2025, the future of Pasig will once again be in the hands of its people.

Let your vote be your voice. Let your voice shape your city.