New Congress dominated by familiar names

New Congress, same names. Most incumbent members of the House of Representatives have successfully retained their seats after winning in the 12 May congressional race, with key figures like Speaker Martin Romualdez and his closest allies either running unopposed or securing landslide victories.

Romualdez was officially proclaimed on Tuesday as the winning representative of Leyte’s first district after facing no opponent, entering his third and final term in Congress since reclaiming the seat in 2019.

Romualdez, a third-term congressman, has run unopposed in three consecutive elections since 2019. He first held the congressional post from 2007 to 2016, returning after an unsuccessful senatorial bid. This year’s win marks his sixth term—or 18 years in total—as a House member.

All of Romualdez’s deputies, except for Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., also won their reelection bids.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s son, Sandro Marcos, likewise secured a second term in Congress unopposed, representing Ilocos Norte’s 1st District.

Quezon Rep. David “Jayjay” Suarez and Isabela Rep. Tonypet Albano also won by default. Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur Rep. Yasser Balindong and Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan secured commanding leads, garnering 78,582 and 163,262 votes, respectively.

Antipolo Rep. Rolando Puno amassed 119,507 votes, winning by a wide margin over opponents who barely crossed 10,000 votes. Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco also defeated his sole rival, obtaining 211,047 votes—or a lead of nearly 82,000.

Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar is poised to move up to the Senate, placing 10th among the top 12 senatorial candidates with 13.4 million votes as of 7 p.m. Tuesday.

All served as deputies under Romualdez. Only Gonzales will not return to the 20th Congress.

After occupying Pampanga’s third congressional seat for three consecutive terms, totalling nine years, Gonzales was term-limited. However, his political influence remained strong, with his daughter, Mica, succeeding him.

In contrast, it remains uncertain whether Deputy Speaker Democrito Mendoza of the TUCP Partylist will secure a House seat, as the group trails with only 0.72 percent or 296,496 votes.

Under Philippine law, only partylists that receive at least two percent of the total partylist vote are guaranteed one seat. However, groups that do not meet the threshold may still be awarded seats to fill the 20 percent allocation reserved for partylist representatives. The remaining 80 percent comes from congressional district winners.

Other returning names in the 20th Congress include the Dutertes, the Barbers, and several critics of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, the eldest son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, won overwhelmingly with 201,774 votes—more than four times the total of his closest rival, PBA Rep. Margarita “Migs” Nograles, who garnered only 48,847.

Rep. Duterte’s son, Omar, is also poised to enter Congress as the Davao 2nd District lawmaker, having secured 160,103 votes—far ahead of his two rivals, who each received under 100,000.

Although Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers is stepping down due to term limits, his wife, Barnedette, will take his place. Similarly, Manila Rep. Edward Maceda will be succeeded by his wife, Giselle.

Members of the so-called "Young Guns"—a group of freshman lawmakers critical of Vice President Duterte—also secured reelection.

La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega received a strong 114,405 votes, defeating two opponents. Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Adiong also won handily with 104,270 votes, beating four rivals.

Other Manila lawmakers—Ernix Dionisio, Rolando Valeriano, and Joel Chua—are set to return to the House. Only Bienvenido Abante of Manila’s 6th District lost, conceding to Joey Uy.

Davao Rep. Cheeno Almario, husband of Nograles, also defeated his opponent with a wide margin, as did Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Suan.

Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, another prominent critic of VP Duterte, likewise secured reelection.