The upcoming 2025 elections are pivotal for several provinces and cities in the Philippines as they mark the country’s entry into the last three years of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Ruling out the issues and the fall of some politicians, there’s one thing that remained concrete and hardly visible — the proliferation of political dynasties, especially in Metro Manila.

The cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (Camanava) show varying themes for the upcoming local elections.

2024 was not a smooth year for these cities as it was shadowed by heinous crimes, widespread environmental issues, and local officials’ involvement in corruption allegations.

As the country ushers in 2025, local executives must beef up their preparations for a more ideal and cost-efficient response for their inhabitants against a growing array of man-made and natural problems and the rising demand for accountability and transparency.

For Caloocan City, observers said that it will have one of the most interesting political landscapes for the upcoming midterm polls as former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV challenge incumbent Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan for the mayoral seat of Caloocan City.

Malapitan is a member of the influential Malapitan clan that has held the position for the past 11 years.

A survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) reveals that Malapitan holds a commanding lead over Trillanes, with the incumbent mayor receiving 81 percent of the survey responses.

After Trillanes’ filed his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) last 3 October, the former senator acknowledged that it would take a difficult path if he wanted to secure the mayoral seat of Caloocan City.

Meanwhile, Dale’s father, Congressman Oscar Malapitan, will run for a second term as the city’s first district representative.

Over at Malabon City, two power couples will battle to secure the mayoral and congressional seats of the city as incumbent Mayor Jeannie Sandoval will seek her second term as the city mayor, where she will face former Representative Jaye Lacson-Noel, who will try to take Malabon’s top post.

Jaye’s husband, Bem Lacson-Noel, will run for the city’s lone congressional seat, where he will face Jeannie’s husband, former Representative Ricky Sandoval, who will seek a political comeback.

For Navotas City — the fishing capital of the Philippines — it will likely remain under the leadership of the Tiangcos until 2028 as incumbent Mayor John Rey Tiangco and his brother, Representative Toby Tiangco, will run unopposed ahead of the midterm polls.

The Tiangco brothers will both run for their second term as the city’s mayor and congressman, respectively.

Navotas City has been under the leadership of the Tiangcos for 24 years on which brothers John Rey and Toby will shift positions once their term reaches limits.

Throughout their term, the city has made significant improvements, particularly in addressing its once-frequent flooding issues.

But there is a looming problem that primarily affects the city’s fishermen as they lamented the removal of “tahungan” (mussel farms) that significantly affected their livelihood.

The removal of the mussel farms was reported to be linked with the proposed 50-hectare Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project which would be an area for residential, commercial, and industrial use in the city.

For Valenzuela City, the last sibling of the Gatchalian brothers will make his entry into the political scene as Kenneth Gatchalian — the second eldest of the brothers — will run as the city’s first district representative.

Incumbent Mayor Weslie Gatchalian will run for his second term as the city mayor.

Once elected, Kenneth and Wes will join their siblings in Philippine politics -- Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, a senator until 2028; and Rex Gatchalian, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development.

As the election season in Camanava heats up, political dynasties and new challengers are positioning themselves for power, and with every vote counting, the upcoming elections will play a crucial role in shaping the region’s future and the direction of its leadership for the next three years.