Family heirloom

PRESIDENT DIOSDADO P. Macapagal, himself a former congressman and vice president, sired Vice Gov. Cielo Macapagal Salgado and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, herself a former senator and vice president and current congresswoman, who birthed Mickey Macapagal-Arroyo elected "regular" congressman and party list representative, and Dato Macapagal-Arroyo, congressman.

A sibling of Apung Dadong, Angel P. Macapagal, also served as congressman.

Gov. Francisco G. Nepomuceno and Rep. Juanita L. Nepomuceno served contemporaneously and then alternately, the husband as Angeles mayor and the wife as governor and assemblywoman. Sons Robin was vice governor and then Barangay Cutcut chairman, and Francis aka Blueboy was city vice mayor, congressman, and mayor. Grandson Bryan is city councilor.

Once -- and still -- rivals to the Nepomucenos, the Lazatins have the lesser numbers: the patriarch Don Rafael was governor, Angeles mayor and assemblyman; son Carmelo, better known as Tarzan, was congressman, mayor, and congressman again; Carmelo II aka Jonjon, managed one term as city councilor. 

Nepomuceno nemesis in 2010, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, the son of former city vice mayor Alberto, has started his own political lineage with his own son Edu as city councilor.

Gov. Bren Z. Guiao had brother Pastor as Magalang mayor and son Joseller, aka Yeng, as board member and vice governor.

Senator Lito Lapid was vice governor and then governor, succeeded at the Capitol by his son Mark who also served as barangay chairman and board member. The senior Lapid's brother Rey was Porac vice mayor.

From Porac Mayor Roy David and Board Member Edna de Ausen-David emerged Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon and Vice Mayor Dexter David.

Perennial Macabebe Mayor Leonardo "Bobong" Flores had sister Annette Flores-Balgan as successor while brother Peter ruled nearby Masantol. The patriarch, Domingo was undefeated in Macabebe.  

Masantol was, for a time, the domain of Epifanio Lacap and wife Corazon who held the mayorship one after the other.

Emigdio Bondoc. Juan Pablo "Rimpy" Bondoc. Anna York Bondoc-Sagum. Successively, made the fourth district a virtual family inheritance.

Lilia "Nanay Baby" Pineda rose from Lubao councilor to mayor, then board member, and now governor. Her son Dennis, aka Delta, succeeded her at the mayorship and was in turn succeeded by his sister Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab.

Delta's wife Yolly is mayor of Sta. Rita.

Family succession of a different kind was tried and tested but failed in Mabalacat in 2010 with forever Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales challenged by daughter Marjorie Morales-Sambo. Notwithstanding the frustrated political parricide, Boking for a time toyed with the idea of having Morales-Sambo as running-mate next year.

Boking's other kid -- Atlas -- remains his father's loyalist and stays sitting as Barangay Dau chief.

Setting his sights on a seat in the House, Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo has anointed his firstborn Patrick to continue the family line in the bird town.

Outgoing Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang has chosen his successor in brother Alex, a contractor.

Sto. Tomas Vice Mayor Gloria "Ninang" Ronquillo will gun for the the mayorship once held by husband Romy, everybody's Ninong.

Back in Masantol, term-limited Mayor Peter Flores is said to be passing the mantle to his brother Paul.  

In Bacolor, the Hizon matriarch, Dona Lolita, has all but officially announced her determination to backstop her son Mayor Jomar as vice mayor. Daughter Angie meanwhile is already in campaign mode for a council seat in the City of San Fernando.

For so long, political posts have been valued as family heirloom to be passed on from one generation to the next, or collectively shared among the clan. It's the way of life hereabouts. So who's complaining?

Cry "Dynasts!" then and let slip the booty in the vote.