It鈥檚 a family affair: Four pairs of siblings to serve in new Senate
MANILA, Philippines — Amid growing national debate over political dynasties, four pairs of siblings will comprise a third of the Senate in the upcoming 20th Congress.
This marks the most sibling tandems in the Senate since the approval of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR
Four pairs of siblings will make up a third of the Senate in the upcoming 20th Congress. |
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet)
Erwin Tulfo, brother of Senator Raffy Tulfo, placed fourth in the 2025 senatorial race with over 17.1 million votes.
In an interview with after the election, Erwin said he will advocate for measures seeking to ban political dynasties in the country, adding that he will resign once one is passed into law.
‘ONCE ANTI-POLITICAL DYNASTY LAW IS PASSED, I WILL RESIGN’
Erwin Tulfo, brother of Sen. Raffy Tulfo, says he will support measures that seek to ban political dynasties in the country. He says he will resign once it is passed into law and will encourage relatives to follow suit.
— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ)
Camille Villar, daughter of outgoing senator and defeated Las Piñas congressional candidate Cynthia Villar, is set to join her brother, Senator Mark Villar, in the upper chamber after ranking 10th in the elections.
Asked about her family being tagged as a political dynasty, Camille said Her mother, Cynthia, even called them a “good dynasty.”
Reelected Senator Pia Cayetano, sister of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, finished ninth in the race with over 14.5 million votes. Since 2004, one or the other has won in every senatorial election, except in 2016.
Alan Peter previously said it was “wrong” and “unfair” to criticize political dynasties without identifying those who are corrupt and aren’t. He further argued that term limits created political dynasties.
Meanwhile, half-brothers and Senators JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada are holdovers from the previous 19th Congress.
After multiple members of the Estrada family lost in the 2019 polls, Ejercito attributed the defeats to having too many relatives simultaneously running for office—a move he said he constantly opposed.
These four pairs of sibling lawmakers will join a Senate dominated by the competing blocs of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte—both members of prominent political families.
HUE’S WHO IN THE MAGIC 12? 🟥🟩🟪
Allies of the country’s top two officials dominate the 2025 midterm elections, with two liberal opposition bets breaking through. |
• Track the election results live at .
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet)
