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In Quezon City, dynasties rule like clockwork: from the well-known Tulfos and Belmontes to primetime stars stepping into the limelight in public office. How did these families rise to power? Can their surnames and legacies outweigh platforms?

The Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), through a working database, identified seven well-known families who have established their dynasties in Quezon City, seeking to retain their circles of political power and influence in the upcoming climax of the 2025 midterm elections.

TULFO

*PCIJ Rating: 7.00

Based in Quezon City, the Tulfo family has long maintained a prominent presence in both national media and Philippine politics. By 2025, seven members of the Tulfo family are either seeking or holding public office—making them one of the most politically active dynasties in the country today.

According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), seven members of the Tulfo family are involved in the 2025 elections:

• Erwin Tulfo – A veteran journalist and broadcaster, currently a leading contender in the 2025 senatorial race
  
• Raffy Tulfo – Elected to the Senate in 2022; well-known for his long-running radio program Wanted sa Radyo
  
• Ben Tulfo – TV host of Bitag, a crime-busting investigative show; senatorial candidate in 2025
  
• Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo – Incumbent representative of the ACT-CIS Party-list; seeking reelection
  
• Robert Tulfo – New nominee for the ACT-CIS Party-list
  
• Ralph Tulfo – Incumbent representative for Quezon City’s 2nd District; running for reelection
  
• Wanda Tulfo-Teo – Former Secretary of the Department of Tourism; now affiliated with the Turismo Party-list

The Tulfo brand is built on a blend of media presence and public service, giving the family broad popular appeal—especially among working-class Filipinos who follow their programs. Shows like Bitag have cultivated a loyal audience by dramatizing criminal investigations and promoting swift, televised justice. This media-driven reputation has translated into strong political support.

However, further scrutiny into the family’s background reveals a pattern of controversies and allegations.

Erwin Tulfo has faced several issues, including questions over his citizenship—having allegedly obtained U.S. citizenship in 1988—and a 2008 libel conviction related to accusations of corruption against a customs official. In 2019, he was declared “persona non grata” by the Armed Forces of the Philippines after verbally attacking former DSWD chief and retired general Rolando Bautista, who had declined an interview with him.

Wanda Tulfo-Teo, along with her brothers Erwin and Ben, was investigated over a ₱120 million advertising deal between the Department of Tourism and the state-run network PTV-4’s Kilos Pronto, a program produced by her brothers. The Commission on Audit cited the absence of a memorandum of agreement and a potential conflict of interest. While the Ombudsman ultimately found no graft, the controversy led to Wanda Tulfo’s resignation from her cabinet post.

The Tulfos’ extensive media influence and public visibility have helped cement their standing among voters, but their ascent also illustrates the complex interplay between media power, political ambition, and public accountability. As the family continues to expand its role in national politics, it becomes increasingly important for the electorate to evaluate candidates not only by popularity but by their ethical track record and commitment to transparency.

BELMONTE

*PCIJ Rating: 5.00

The Belmonte family is one of the most prominent political dynasties in Quezon City, currently occupying multiple key positions in local government. At the forefront is incumbent Mayor Joy Belmonte, who is also seeking reelection in the 2025 local elections.

The Belmonte family’s political stature, both locally and nationally, originates from its patriarch, Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, former Speaker of the House of Representatives. His political legacy continues through his descendants, who now play significant roles in Quezon City politics.

As of 2025, five members of the Belmonte family are either holding or pursuing elected positions:

• Joy Belmonte – Incumbent Mayor of Quezon City; candidate for reelection in 2025
  
• Ricardo Belmonte Jr. – Serbisyo sa Bayan (SBP) Party-list nominee; former Quezon City councilor
  
• Mikey Belmonte – Incumbent councilor for Quezon City’s 2nd District running for reelection; nephew of Joy Belmonte
  
• Vincent Belmonte – Candidate for Quezon City’s 4th District
  
• Irene Belmonte – Incumbent councilor for Quezon City’s 4th District

In addition to their political reach, the Belmonte family holds substantial influence in Philippine media.  Betty Go-Belmonte and Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte were among the original founders of The Philippine Star — one of the leading newspapers in the country today.

As of the 2023 Media Ownership Monitor, Joy Belmonte’s siblings hold significant positions within the Philstar Media group, with Isaac Belmonte being the former head of the Philippine Star’s editorial board, and the other two being actively part of the organization’s operations: 

• Kevin Belmonte – president and CEO of Philstar Global Corporation, which runs the operations of Philstar.com, the digital publication arm of the broadsheet
  
• Miguel Belmonte – CEO of The Philippine Star

While the majority of the organization runs under Hastings Holdings, Inc, headed by businessman Manny Pangilinan, the Belmontes maintain ownership stake in the PhilStar Daily, Inc., Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc., and PhilStar Global Corporation.

The Belmontes own a 15% share in PhilStar Global Corporation through their company, Azurra Prime Ventures, Inc., and 20% for Pilipino Star Ngayon — divided among Feliciano Belmonte and his children, including mayor Joy Belmonte.

This intersection of political influence and media ownership highlights the broader implications of dynastic power in the Philippines. As voters evaluate candidates, particularly in high-stakes local elections, it becomes critical to consider the candidate’s familial ties and control over major business interests, including influential media outlets such as Philstar.

CRISOLOGO

*PCIJ rating: 1.00

The Crisologos are among several political families with candidates vying for public office in Quezon City. Although they appear relatively modest in scale—both by the standards of PCIJ and within the broader Metro Manila landscape—the name “Crisologo” carries significant historical weight in Ilocos Sur.

This legacy stems largely from the political influence of Floro Crisologo, former representative of Ilocos Sur’s 1st District, and his wife, Carmen Crisologo, who once served as the province’s governor.

As of the 2025 elections, the Crisologos have two family members either holding or seeking public office:

• Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo – Congressional candidate for Quezon City’s 1st District
  
• Anthony “Onyx” Crisologo – Quezon City 1st District councilor from 2010-2019. He became the district’s representative from 2019-2022 but lost his reelection bid to Arjo Atayde. He is the son of Vincent Crisologo.

• Nicole “Nikki” Valencerina Crisologo – wife of Anthony Crisologo, she is seeking reelection as one of Quezon City’s 1st District councilors

The family name is tied to a turbulent past. Floro Crisologo was a powerful figure in Ilocos Sur who sought to control the province’s lucrative tobacco industry, reportedly relying on the protection of a private armed group known as the “barefoot gangsters.” His career ended violently when he was assassinated in 1970 while attending mass.

His son, Vincent Crisologo, also drew public scrutiny. In 1970, he was convicted and sentenced to two life terms for the arson of two villages in Bantay, allegedly in retaliation for their support of his cousin and political rival, Chavit Singson, over his mother in the 1969 gubernatorial race. Following a presidential pardon from Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Vincent later became a preacher and founded the “Love Flock,” a Catholic Charismatic community. Though his early attempts to win office in Ilocos Sur failed, he found political success in Quezon City—first as a councilor in 1998, and later as a congressman elected in 2007 and 2010.

The rivalry between the Crisologos and the Singsons contributed to Ilocos Sur’s notorious reputation for political violence in the 1970s. However, in recent years, the two families appear to have reconciled.

The Crisologos exemplify how political dynasties in the Philippines can maintain influence and legitimacy despite histories marked by controversy, violence, and scandal. Their continued presence in electoral politics underscores the resilience—and in some cases, the rehabilitation—of entrenched political families in the country’s democratic processes.

VARGAS

*PCIJ Rating: 2.00

The Vargas family represents a relatively new but growing political dynasty in Quezon City. Despite their recent entry into politics, they have already made notable strides, surpassing more established families such as the Crisologos of Ilocos Sur in the PCIJ ranking of political dynasties.

As of the 2025 midterm elections, two members of the Vargas family are seeking public office:

• Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas – Incumbent representative and candidate for reelection in Quezon City’s 5th District
  
• Alfred Vargas – Candidate for Quezon City 5th District councilor; former district representative and older brother of PM Vargas

While little is publicly known about the family’s political lineage, they are descendants of Atty. Susan Dumlao-Vargas, who previously served as Deputy Executive Secretary for Administration and Finance in Malacañang. However, much of the Vargas brothers’ public influence stems from their careers in the entertainment industry rather than traditional political networks.

Alfred Vargas, an award-winning actor, made his political debut in 2010 as a Quezon City councilor. He later became the first representative of the newly established 5th District in Quezon City and served until 2022. That same year, he was succeeded by his younger brother Patrick Vargas, who had previously worked behind the scenes in the film industry as a co-director on several of Alfred’s projects.

The Vargas family exemplifies how newer dynasties can emerge and expand political influence through alternative pathways, such as celebrity status and name recall, rather than entrenched political roots. Although still relatively small in scale, the Vargas brothers’ trajectory reflects the broader strategies shared by both established and emerging political families in the Philippines—leveraging visibility, personal branding, and family succession.

Their rise illustrates how even modest dynasties can grow under the right conditions, and how popularity outside of politics, particularly in media and entertainment, can serve as an effective gateway into public office.

SOTTO 

*PCIJ Rating: 3.00

The Sotto family is a prominent name in both Philippine politics and the entertainment industry, exemplifying the increasingly common convergence of media celebrity and political capital.

Rooted in Cebu, the family’s political legacy traces back to Vicente Yap Sotto, a pioneering journalist, playwright, and former representative of Cebu’s 2nd District. He is perhaps best remembered for sponsoring Republic Act No. 53, also known as the “Sotto Law,” which protects journalists from being compelled to reveal their sources—an enduring contribution to press freedom in the Philippines.

As of the 2025 elections, three members of the Sotto family are seeking reelection or running for national and local office:

• Vicente “Tito” Sotto III – Former Senate President (2018–2022), former Vice Mayor of Quezon City (1988–1992), and senatorial candidate in 2025
  
• Vico Sotto – Mayor of Pasig City, running for reelection; widely recognized for defeating the Eusebio dynasty in 2019
  
• Gian Sotto – Vice Mayor of Quezon City; former city councilor and actor, nephew of Vic Sotto

The Sottos, like many modern political families, initially built their public visibility through entertainment. Members such as Tito and Vic Sotto achieved national fame as actors and TV personalities long before entering politics. Their celebrity status has played a pivotal role in establishing trust and name recognition among voters.

Unlike some dynasties that concentrate power in a single locality, the Sottos have extended their political presence across multiple cities in Metro Manila, including Quezon City, Pasig, and Parañaque. While relatively new figures in some of these areas—such as Gian Sotto in Quezon City and Vico Sotto in Pasig—the family has been effective at capitalizing on its media appeal to gain political ground.

Notably, Vico Sotto’s win in Pasig is often hailed as a turning point in the city’s political landscape, ending the 27-year dominance of the Eusebio family. His technocratic, reform-driven governance style has been embraced by many as a shift from traditional dynastic politics, though he remains undeniably part of a broader political lineage.

Like the Tulfos, Belmontes, and Vargas family, the Sottos illustrate how media influence continues to serve as a powerful gateway into political life. While new faces can indeed bring fresh perspectives, the public must remain aware that not all “new” candidates are disconnected from established political families. Political dynasties evolve, adapt, and rebrand—often leveraging entertainment platforms to sustain their influence under the guise of novelty.

PILAR

*PCIJ Rating: 2.00

The Pilar family represents one of the smaller but steadily emerging political dynasties in Quezon City, with a concentrated presence in the city’s 6th District, which was established in 2012. Unlike more expansive political families that seek influence across multiple districts or cities, the Pilars have focused their efforts on building a localized and consistent support base within this single constituency.

As of the 2025 midterm elections, two members of the family are seeking republic office:

• Rep. Marivic Victoria Co-Pilar – Incumbent representative of Quezon City’s 6th District; former city councilor, wife of Emmanuel Pilar
  
• Emmanuel “Banjo” Pilar – Reelectionist candidate for district councilor; former three-term chairperson of Barangay Pasong Tamo, husband of Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar.

The most prominent figure in the family is Marivic Co-Pilar, elected in 2022 as the district’s second-ever representative. Her legislative record reflects a focus on social development and public welfare, having authored bills on the establishment of Handog na Oportunidad Para sa Edukasyon (HOPE) Centers, the institutionalization of a national framework for senior citizen care, and a proposed law defining non-financial support for children. She also co-authored the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund Act and voted in favor of revoking the broadcast license of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

Other family members have also been active in local governance. Stephanie Tricia Co-Pilar and Emmanuel Pilar have served in various capacities in Barangay Pasong Tamo, underscoring the family’s consistent engagement with grassroots-level public service.

In contrast to other Quezon City dynasties—many of whom emerged from business, showbiz, or media—the Pilars trace their political roots to community-based public service, making them a unique case in a landscape often dominated by high-profile personalities.

While still a small and localized dynasty, the Pilar family demonstrates that political influence can be cultivated through sustained, community-centered governance. Their example suggests that genuine grassroots leadership remains viable—even in an era where political success is increasingly shaped by celebrity and media exposure.

*Denotes how many members of a political dynasty have been identified in the working database of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.