Drama marks Isko’s return, Nancy’s win
While the senatorial race grabbed national headlines, the battle for Metro Manila’s city halls unfolded with just as much drama — complete with stunning comebacks, bitter family feuds and political dynasties solidifying their grip.
In what may be the biggest political comeback of 2025, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno-Domagoso reclaimed the city’s top post, dealing a decisive blow to incumbent Mayor Honey Lacuna. The unofficial tally showed Moreno winning in a landslide with 536,647 votes, far ahead of Lacuna’s 190,773 and Tutok2Win Partylist Rep. Sam Verzosa’s 164,387.
Verzosa bowed out late Monday night and Lacuna followed the next day, conceding and saying she “humbly accepts the decision of the Manileños.”
The campaign was far from clean. Moreno and Lacuna exchanged blows in public, airing each other’s alleged corruption scandals in a no-holds-barred media war.
At one point, Lacuna screamed, “Huwag ka nang bumalik!” (“Don’t come back anymore!”) while Moreno swore to “exterminate” the Lacuna political clan in Manila. It was personal. And it showed.
In Makati, the fight turned into a family affair.
Senator Nancy Binay, running for mayor, clashed with her brother-in-law, Luis Campos, husband of her sister, outgoing Mayor Abby Binay. It was a tense, awkward showdown of in-laws, but in the end, the Binay name prevailed.
Binay received 91,392 votes versus Campos’s 68,005.
Interestingly, Campos campaigned under the name “AbbyLuis Campos,” an apparent attempt to ride on his wife’s political capital. Still, the name game didn’t help him win the country’s richest city.
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto continues his unshakable hold over the city, winning his third and final term in a landslide. With 351,392 votes against rival Sara Discaya’s 29,591, Sotto’s victory wasn’t just a win — it was a definitive statement.
“It’s a validation,” he told reporters Tuesday. “The overwhelming support tells me we’re on the right track. We’ll finish what we started and keep improving services for Pasigueños.”
Quezon City was never really in doubt. Incumbent Mayor Joy Belmonte won by a landslide with 1,034,873 votes, easily defeating Diosdado Velasco with 20,936. Her allies also swept the congressional races — Arjo Atayde, Ralph Tulfo, Franz Pumaren, Marvin Rillo, Alfred Vargas and Marivic Co-Pilar.
Over in San Juan, Mayor Francis Zamora crushed former PBA star Philip Cezar. With 50,612 votes against Cezar’s 7,313, Zamora will continue his hold on the city for another term.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon had no challengers and easily clinched a second term with 209,498 votes. His entire One Muntinlupa slate swept the elections, sealing the group’s dominance in the city.
Pateros now has Gerald German at the helm. A longtime public servant who’s held nearly every local post, German won with 16,459 votes against Ronaldo Miranda’s 13,001.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes suffered yet another political defeat — this time in Caloocan’s mayoral race. He lost to incumbent Along Malapitan who secured 266,789 votes versus Trillanes’s 175,563.
In a bitter post-election statement, Trillanes hinted at vote buying, saying his campaign couldn’t match the “power of money that preyed on poverty to stay in power.”
Navotas and Valenzuela reelected their incumbent mayors unopposed —John Rey Tiangco and Wes Gatchalian, respectively.
In Navotas, the Tiangco dynasty cemented its decades-long control.
Former mayor Toby Tiangco beat Tony Ibañez for the congressional seat. The brothers have ruled the city for nearly 25 years.
In Valenzuela, Wes Gatchalian stays on as mayor, while his brother Kenneth Gatchalian enters politics with a successful congressional bid in the 1st District.
Mayor Jeannie Sandoval secured another term in Malabon, defeating Rep. Jaye Lacson-Noel.
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