2025 Taguig local elections

2025 Taguig local elections
← 2022 May 12, 2025 (2025-05-12) 2028 →
Mayoral election
Incumbent Mayor

Lani Cayetano
Nacionalista



Vice mayoral election
Incumbent Mayor

Arvin Alit
Nacionalista



City Council election
24 of 26 seats in the Taguig City Council
13 seats needed for a majority
 
Party Nacionalista
Last election 16 seats, 69.03%

Local elections are scheduled to be held in Taguig on May 12, 2025, as part of the 2025 Philippine general election. The electorate will elect a mayor, a vice mayor, sixteen members of the Taguig City Council, and two district representatives to the House of Representatives of the Philippines. The officials elected in the election will assume their respective offices on June 30, 2025, for a three-year-long term.

This will be the first general election in which the Embo barangays are part of the Taguig city electorate.

Background

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See also: Makati–Taguig boundary dispute

On April 3, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Philippines denied the motion of reconsideration filed by Makati to override its earlier ruling that upheld the 2011 Pasig Regional Trial Court ruling that recognized Taguig's jurisdiction over the ten Embo barangays, resulting in Makati formally ceding control of the barangays to Taguig.[1] The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) began the administrative transfer of the 212,613 Embo voters and electoral precincts from Makati to Taguig in August 2023, ahead of the 2023 Philippine barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections, where Embo residents voted as residents of Taguig for the first time.[2][3][4]

In the Embo barangays, the 2023 BSKE elections resulted in widespread defeat for candidates affiliated with the ruling Cayetano family.[2] Following the election, 140 barangay officials from the Embo area took their oath at the Makati City Hall, affirming their loyalty to Makati.[5] Joey Salgado of Rappler opined that the aftermath of the barangay elections indicated a competitive local race in Taguig in 2025, owing to the popularity of the Binay family in the populous Embo barangays.[2][6]

Representation of the Embo barangays

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For the 2025 general election, the Embo residents will elect local officials for Taguig for the first time.[7] While Embo voters will be represented in the city council, the COMELEC ruled that they will be effectively left without representation in the House of Representatives until the barangays are drawn in a legislative district of Taguig through law.[8][6] Makati Mayor Abigail Binay panned the ruling as an injustice, deeming it a "denial of democracy".[9][10]

The Taguig City Council planned to pass an ordinance to divide the ten Embo barangays between the two existing councilor districts for the council and increase the elected members per district.[11] Committee hearings on the ordinance began on September 14, 2024; the drafted ordinance formally drew the barangays into the two councilor districts and sought an increase of four elected members per district, creating a total of 12 elected councilors per district and 24 overall.[12] Subsequently, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 23 which the chamber adopted on September 23, followed by the House of Representatives adopting House Concurrent Resolution No. 37 on September 25.[13] These proposals, based on Taguig City Council's Ordinance No. 144, would add barangays Comembo, Pembo, and Rizal to the 1st district and barangays Cembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, South Cembo, and West Rembo to the 2nd district.[14]

Ultimately, the COMELEC issued Resolution No. 11069, adopting Taguig City's Ordinance No. 144 and the joint resolution of the houses of Congress.[15]


Mayoral election

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The incumbent mayor is Lani Cayetano, who has served since 2022 after being elected with 75.77% of the vote. Cayetano is eligible for reelection to a second term.

Abigail Binay, the term-limited mayor of Makati, has expressed interest in running for the mayoralty of Taguig.[16] To seek the office, Binay would need to resign as mayor of Makati to establish at least one year of residency in Taguig to be eligible for the post.[17] On January 9, 2024, Binay remarked that she is "waiting for a sign" for her to push through with her campaign in Taguig;[17] she indicated that she would finalize her decision by March 2024.[18][19] Manuel L. Quezon III of the Philippine Daily Inquirer described Binay's potential campaign for mayor of Taguig as a "dynastic invasion" motivated by Makati's loss of the Embo barangays.[20] Since her announcement, Binay has not resigned her post, making a mayoral bid less likely as she is instead being considered as a senatorial bet by the administration coalition.[21] It was later confirmed that she will run for senator in 2025 when she was named to the senatorial slate of Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.[22]

Meanwhile, political strategist Lito Banayo revealed that former mayor Lino Cayetano, brother-in-law of the incumbent, may challenge for the mayor's seat after reportedly getting the backing of two important factions in local politics: the Zamora family (including second district representative Pammy Zamora, daughter of former San Juan representative Ronaldo Zamora) and the Tiñga family (including former mayor Sigfrido Tiñga), potentially forming an alliance between a Cayetano and several of their political enemies.[23] However, the former mayor announced that he is not running for mayor in his Facebook post, but is still undecided if he would run for another local position. He instead ran for first district representative.

Candidates

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Potential

Declined

Polling

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Hypothetical polling
Abby Binay vs. Lani Cayetano
Fieldwork Date(s) Pollster Sample Size MoE Binay
NPC 		Cayetano
Nacionalista 		Und./
None
Feb 15–22 RPMDinc[28] 1,200 ±3% 38 57 5

Vice mayoral election

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The incumbent vice mayor is Arvin Alit, who has served since 2022 after being elected with 68.81% of the vote.

Candidates

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  • Arvin Ian Alit, incumbent vice mayor of Taguig (2022–present), city councilor from the 2nd District (2013–2022)
  • Janelle Cerafica (PFP), candidate for vice mayor in 2022, wife of Arnel Cerafica

City Council election

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The Taguig City Council is currently composed of 18 members, 16 of which are elected through plurality block voting to serve three-year terms. The councilors represent the city's two councilor districts, which consist of Taguig barangays coextensive with the congressional districts, with eight members being elected per district.

After COMELEC's resolution, which added the Embo barangays to the city council districts, the council will now have 26 members, 24 of which are to be elected between the two districts of the city, adding four new seats to each district.

First district

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The first district encompasses the barangays of Bagumbayan, Bambang, Calzada, Hagonoy, Ibayo-Tipas, Ligid-Tipas, Lower Bicutan, New Lower Bicutan, Napindan, Palingon, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Tuktukan, Ususan and Wawa. City Ordinance No. 144 passed by the city council, as adopted by COMELEC Resolution No. 11069, added the Embo barangays Comembo, Pembo, and Rizal to the district. The last election saw the administration coalition sweep the district, getting all eight seats.

Term-limited councilors

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  • Gloria Valenzuela-De Mesa

Second district

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The second district encompasses the barangays of Central Bicutan, Central Signal Village, Fort Bonifacio, Katuparan, Maharlika Village, North Daang Hari, North Signal Village, Pinagsama, South Daang Hari, South Signal Village, Tanyag, Upper Bicutan and Western Bicutan. City Ordinance No. 144 passed by the city council, as adopted by COMELEC Resolution No. 11069, added the Embo barangays Cembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, South Cembo, and West Rembo to the district. The last election saw the administration coalition sweep the district, getting all eight seats.

Term-limited councilors

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  • Jaime Garcia
  • Yasser Pangandaman

House of Representatives elections

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Coinciding with the local elections, two representatives from the districts the city shares with Pateros will be elected to represent the city and the municipality in the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress.

First district

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The first district encompasses the entirety of Pateros and the Taguig barangays of Bagumbayan, Bambang, Calzada, Hagonoy, Ibayo-Tipas, Ligid-Tipas, Lower Bicutan, New Lower Bicutan, Napindan, Palingon, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Tuktukan, Ususan and Wawa. City Ordinance No. 144 passed by the city council, as adopted by COMELEC Resolution No. 11069, added the Embo barangays Comembo, Pembo, and Rizal to the district.

The incumbent representative is Ricardo "Ading" Cruz Jr., who was elected in 2022 with 58.25% of the vote.

Candidates

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  • Allan Cerafica (PFP), candidate in 2019 and 2022 for representative of 1st District of Taguig-Pateros, brother of Arnel Cerafica

Second district

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The second district encompasses the Taguig barangays of Central Bicutan, Central Signal Village, Fort Bonifacio, Katuparan, Maharlika Village, North Daang Hari, North Signal Village, Pinagsama, South Daang Hari, South Signal Village, Tanyag, Upper Bicutan and Western Bicutan. City Ordinance No. 144 passed by the city council, as adopted by COMELEC Resolution No. 11069, added the Embo barangays Cembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, South Cembo, and West Rembo to the district.

The incumbent representative is Pammy Zamora, who was elected in 2022 with 68.75% of the vote.

Candidates

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  • Jorge Daniel Bocobo, barangay captain of Fort Bonifacio, ex-officio councilor/Liga ng mga Barangay President
Potential
[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (2023-04-03). "Taguig LGU lauds SC decision over Fort Bonifacio ownership". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 2023-04-03. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Salgado, Joey (November 22, 2023). "[OPINION] Political terrain in Taguig has shifted". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  3. ^ "Comelec: 10 EMBO barangays now part of Taguig for BSKE". Philstar.com. August 21, 2023. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  4. ^ Mangaluz, Jean (October 30, 2023). "'Embo' residents find no difference in voting under Taguig city's control". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Cruz, James Patrick (2023-11-25). "Loyalty check? Newly-elected EMBO barangay officials take oath before Makati Mayor Binay". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  6. ^ a b Terrado, Jose Marco (July 31, 2023). "What Taguig stands to gain (and potentially lose)". UP sa Halalan. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Casucian, Jiselle Anne (June 25, 2024). "'COMELEC: EMBO barangays cannot vote for a congressman in 2025". GMA News Online.
  8. ^ Cruz, James Patrick (2024-06-25). "Why EMBO residents cannot vote for a congressman in 2025 elections". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  9. ^ Cabato, Luisa (2024-06-26). "Makati mayor hits Comelec ruling on House bet for 'embo' barangays". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on 2024-07-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  10. ^ "Abby Binay slams Comelec's 'suppression' of EMBO voters, asks Taguig to act". ABS-CBN News. 2024-06-24. Archived from the original on 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  11. ^ Torres, Sherrie Anne (June 28, 2024). "Comelec releases resolution listing 10 EMBO barangays to Taguig City". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  12. ^ "Cayetano bats for EMBOs' voting rights in 2025 local elections". Senate of the Philippines. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  13. ^ Ferreras, Vince Angelo (September 25, 2024). "House adopts resolution preventing the disenfranchisement of 'EMBO' voters". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "Cayetano bats for EMBOs' voting rights in 2025 local elections" (Press release). Senate of the Philippines. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  15. ^ Sampang, Dianne (September 26, 2024). "Comelec adopts Taguig ordinance on Embo barangays". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  16. ^ Magsambol, Bonz (2024-05-11). "[WATCH] Is it Binay vs Binay again in Makati in 2025?". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  17. ^ a b Bautista, Nillicent. "Abby waiting for 'sign' on Taguig mayoral run". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  18. ^ Bautista, Nillicent. "Abby to decide on Taguig mayoral run by March". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  19. ^ Legaspi, Zeus (2024-01-25). "Possible Taguig mayoral bid not a walk in the park — Abby Binay". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on 2024-03-17. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  20. ^ Quezon, Manuel L. III (August 16, 2023). "Retribution by election". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  21. ^ Domingo, Katrina (May 18, 2024). "NPC eyes Abby Binay, Lapid, Sotto as senatorial bets in 2025 elections". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  22. ^ Gita-Carlos, Ruth Abbey (September 26, 2024). "PBBM bares admin's 2025 senatorial slate". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  23. ^ "Yanig sa Taguig! Lino Cayetano reportedly secures backing of Ronnie Zamora, Freddie Tinga in challenging Lani's seat". Politiko. September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  24. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (August 15, 2024). "Ex-congressman Cerafica to challenge Cayetano for mayor of Taguig anew". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  25. ^ "Mayayanig Taguig? Abby Binay Meets With Cayetano Nemesis Freddie Tinga". Politiko. January 6, 2024. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  26. ^ Lelis, Brix (January 10, 2024). "Binay eyes run for Taguig mayor". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  27. ^ ""Do Not Fight the Ones Who Should Not Be Fighting," Says Former Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano". taguig.com. August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  28. ^ ""BOSES NG BAYAN" 2025 ELECTIONS: TAGUIG CITY MAYOR". RP- Mission and Development Foundation Inc. 2024-03-04. Archived from the original on 2024-05-05. Retrieved 2024-05-05 – via Facebook.
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