# 2025 Taguig local elections

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, twenty-four 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

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. 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.
In the Embo barangays, the 2023 BSKE elections resulted in widespread defeat for candidates affiliated with the ruling Cayetano family. Following the election, 140 barangay officials from the Embo area took their oath at the Makati City Hall, affirming their loyalty to Makati. 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.

### Representation of the Embo barangays

For the 2025 general election, the Embo residents will elect local officials for Taguig for the first time. 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. Makati Mayor Abigail Binay panned the ruling as an injustice, deeming it a "denial of democracy".
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. 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. 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. 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.
Ultimately, COMELEC issued Resolution No. 11069, adopting Taguig City's Ordinance No. 144 and the joint resolution of the houses of Congress. Dante Tiñga, former House representative from Taguig–Pateros, then questioned the Taguig City's Ordinance No. 144 to the Supreme Court, arguing that the city council had no authority to increase the number of seats, but rather that power belonged to Congress by passing a statute, and not a resolution.

## Candidates

Candidates in italics indicate incumbents seeking reelection.

## Mayoral election

The incumbent mayor is Lani Cayetano, who has served since 2022 and previously held the post from 2010 to 2019, after being elected with 75.77% of the vote. She is eligible for reelection to a second consecutive term.
Abigail Binay, the term-limited mayor of Makati, has expressed interest in running for the mayoralty of Taguig. 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. On January 9, 2024, Binay remarked that she is "waiting for a sign" for her to push through with her campaign in Taguig; she indicated that she would finalize her decision by March 2024. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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 chose to run for first district representative, against his sister-in-law's preferred candidate.
Instead, former first district representative Arnel Cerafica, now backed by the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, challenged to represent the local opposition, including from the Embo barangays, in the mayoral election. This is his third bid to be elected mayor, having lost to the incumbent in 2022 and to Lino Cayetano in 2019.

### Candidates

* Lani Cayetano (Nacionalista), incumbent mayor of Taguig
* Arnel Cerafica (PFP), candidate for mayor in 2019 and 2022, former representative from Taguig–Pateros's 1st district
* Brigido Licudine (Independent)
Declined
* Abigail Binay, incumbent mayor of Makati (running for Senator)
* Lino Cayetano, former mayor of Taguig and former representative for Taguig–Pateros's 2nd district (running for representative)
* Sigfrido Tiñga, founder and President of Global Electric Transport, former mayor of Taguig and former representative for Taguig–Pateros's 2nd district (did not run)

### Polling
#### Abby Binay vs. Lani Cayetano

| Fieldwork Date(s) | Pollster | Sample Size | MoE | Binay NPC | Cayetano Nacionalista | Und./ None |
| Feb 15–22 | RPMDinc | 1,200 | ±3% | 38 | 57 | 5 |

#### Lani Cayetano vs. Arnel Cerafica

| Fieldwork Date(s) | Pollster | Sample Size | MoE | Cayetano Nacionalista | Cerafica PFP | Und./ None |
| Nov 15–20 | RPMDinc | 1,200 | ±3% | 63 | 17 | 20 |

### Results

2025 Taguig mayoral election :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party |
| | Lani Cayetano (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Arnel Cerafica | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Brigido Licudine | Independent |
| Total |||

## Vice mayoral election

The incumbent vice mayor is Arvin Alit, who has served since 2022 after being elected with 68.81% of the vote. He is eligible to run for his second consecutive term.

### Candidates

* Arvin Ian Alit (Nacionalista), incumbent vice mayor of Taguig and former city councilor from the 2nd District
* Janelle Cerafica (PFP), candidate for vice mayor in 2022, wife of Arnel Cerafica
* Nelly Tanglao (Independent)

### Results

2025 Taguig vice mayoral election :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party |
| | Arvin Ian Alit (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Janelle Cerafica | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Nelly Tanglao | Independent |
| Total |||

## City Council election

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 en banc 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

The first city council district is composed of the city's eastern barangays, namely 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

* Gloria Valenzuela-De Mesa

#### Results

2025 Taguig City Council election in the 1st district :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party |
| | Romeo Edgar Abaigar | Independent |
| | Kim Abbang | Nacionalista Party |
| | Raul Aquino (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Johnny Alvarida | Independent |
| | John John Bautista | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Mark Bacsain | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Mark Bryan Beran | Independent |
| | RJ Bernal | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Allan Paul Cruz | Nacionalista Party |
| | Arnold "Sammy" Cruz | Nacionalista Party |
| | Norjannah Cruz | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Reinante Dela Paz | Independent |
| | Girlie Delos Santos | Makabayan |
| | Warren Delos Santos | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Rolando Gonzales | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Darwin Icay | Nacionalista Party |
| | Tristan Inan | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Jaime "Jimmy" Labampa (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Paul Lontoc | Independent |
| | Elvira Madrid | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Lamberto "Totong" Mañosca (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Rodil "Tikboy" Marcelino (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Carlito Ogalinola (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Fanella Joy Panga-Cruz (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Rico Palma | Independent |
| | Gamaliel San Pedro (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Joshua Sanga | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Ferdinand "Bro" Santos | Nacionalista Party |
| | Maria Ana Santos | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Gerard Sumagpao | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Henry Vera | Independent |
| Total |||

### Second district

The second city council district is composed of the city's western barangays, namely 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

* Jaime Garcia
* Yasser Pangandaman

#### Results

2025 Taguig City Council election in the 2nd district :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party |
| | Benedicto "Benny" Abatay | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Jude Acepcion | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Joel "KuyaSec" Advincula | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Juanito Aggalut | Independent |
| | Abraham Anuncacion | Independent |
| | Marisse Balina-Eron (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Marilou "Lot" Bandejas | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Edgar Baptista (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Gigi Bermas | Nacionalista Party |
| | Angielyn Bombase | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Paolo Cabrera | Independent |
| | Lani Calvadores | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Isidro Capurcos | Independent |
| | Danilo "Danny" Castro | Nacionalista Party |
| | Arthur Clavo | Independent |
| | Edgardo Daria | Independent |
| | Cosmiano De Asis | Independent |
| | Iony De Lara-Bes | Nacionalista Party |
| | Cupid Demafiles | Independent |
| | Ivie Dizon | Nacionalista Party |
| | Armando "Arman" Ercillo | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Arthur "Bro. Art" Flores | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Persilita Magallano | Independent |
| | Gen Pautin | Nacionalista Party |
| | Alex Penolio (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Eduardo "Brother Ed" Prado (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Basilio Pooten | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Ignacio Rivera Jr. | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Glenn Sacay | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Rodolfo San Pedro Jr. | Independent |
| | Jomil Bryan Serna (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Nicky Supan (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Jerry Tan | Partido Lakas ng Masa |
| | Caleb Tibio | Independent |
| | Gary Lester Valdez | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Evelyn "Bing" Villamor | Nacionalista Party |
| | Salvador Zamora III | Independent |
| Total |||

## House of Representatives elections

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

The first district encompasses the entirety of Pateros and Taguig's eastern 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.
On October 30, 2024, the Comelec rejected the transfer of residency to the district by Lino Cayetano after the filing of certificates of candidacy have ended, but the poll body noted that the former mayor can still avail of legal remedies, and speculation about his disqualification is "premature".
The incumbent representative is Ricardo Cruz Jr., an ally of the incumbent city administration, who was elected in 2022 with 58.25% of the vote.

#### Candidates

* Lino Cayetano (NPC), former mayor of Taguig (2019–2022), representative from Taguig–Pateros's 2nd district (2013–2016)
* Allan Cerafica (PFP), candidate in 2019 and 2022 for representative of 1st District of Taguig-Pateros, former barangay captain of Palingon-Tipas, brother of Arnel Cerafica
* Ricardo Cruz Jr. (Nacionalista), incumbent representative from Taguig–Pateros's 1st district (2022–present)
* Pedro dela Cruz (Independent), retired soldier
* Ricardo Opoc (Independent)

#### Results

2025 First District Congressional Election :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party |
| | Lino Cayetano | Nationalist People's Coalition |
| | Allan Cerafica | Partido Federal ng Pilipinas |
| | Ricardo "Ading" Cruz Jr. (incumbent) | Nacionalista Party |
| | Pedro dela Cruz | Independent |
| | Ricardo Opoc | Independent |
| Total |||

### Second district

The second district encompasses Taguig's western 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. She was previously allied with the incumbent city administration until 2024, when she switched from the Nacionalista Party to Lakas–CMD.

#### Candidates

* Jorge Daniel Bocobo, barangay captain of Fort Bonifacio, ex-officio councilor/Liga ng mga Barangay President
* Noe Manila (Independent)
* Pammy Zamora, incumbent representative for the second district of Taguig

#### Results

2025 Second District Congressional Election :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party |
| | Jorge Daniel Bocobo | Nacionalista Party |
| | Noe Manila | Independent |
| | Pammy Zamora (incumbent) | Lakas–CMD |
| Total |||