MAP: Where will members of Congress go in 2016?

MANILA, Philippines – By end of June 2016, 234 district representatives will bid goodbye to the 16th Congress. Where will they go when the current Congress ends?

A big majority will definitely stay in politics, with most of them still wanting to be part of the next Congress. Based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) certified list of candidates, Rappler found that 146 district representatives are gunning for reelection in their respective districts.

How about the rest? There are at least 5 district representatives running for higher office, while 45 are running for various positions at the local level.

Here’s a map that will show where the incumbent district representatives are planning to go in the next administration. Each district is colored depending on where they are planning to go. Click on the colored areas to obtain specific information about the district representatives.

Color legend:

• orange – running for reelection
• red – running for a higher position
• blue – running for a provincial position
• purple – running for a city/municipal position
• gray – not running for any position
  
  

Included among the 146 reelectionists is Marinduque Representative Regina Ongsiako Reyes, who was recently disqualified by the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. The Supreme Court upheld this ruling.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr is still “studying” whether or not to swear in Reyes’ replacement, Lord Allan Velasco.

There are 75 reelectionists eyeing their second straight term in Congress, and 71 reelectionists going for a third straight term. Article VI, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution, states that no House member shall serve for more than 3 consecutive terms – or 9 consecutive years – in the same post.

These aspirants may possess an advantage by virtue of their incumbency. In 2013, 159 out of the 229 district representatives filed certificates of candidacy for their same posts. Incidentally, 143 of them won.

Two House members, Tarlac Representative Enrique Cojuangco and Camarines Norte Representative Elmer Panotes, passed away last year. They both would have been eligible for reelection as they were both on their second terms.

Outside Batasan

While most House members are running for reelection, 50 are going elsewhere. At least 5 district representatives took the risk of seeking higher office in 2016:

• Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo for vice president
• Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for senator
• Pasig Representative Roman Romulo for senator
• Valenzuela Representative Sherwin Gatchalian for senator
• Sarangani Representative Emmanuel Pacquiao for senator

Meanwhile, 45 incumbent lawmakers are running for local executive posts:

• 19 are running for governor
• 5 are running for vice governor
• 18 are running for mayor
• 3 are running for vice mayor

At least 36 district representatives are no longer running for elective posts this May.

Family affair

While some incumbent lawmakers will no longer be in the House of Representatives’ roster in the 17th Congress, their relatives could take their place:

• Antipolo City Representative Roberto Puno might be replaced by his wife, Chiqui Roa-Puno.
• Bataan Representative Herminia Roman might be replaced by her daughter, Geraldine Roman.
• Batangas Representative Nelson Collantes, who initially submitted his certificate of candidacy for reelection, has been substituted for by his wife, Maria Theresa Collantes.
• Bukidnon Representative Jose Maria Zubiri III might be replaced by Manuel Zubiri. 
• Bulacan Representative Maria Victoria Sy-Alvarado might be replaced by her son, Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado.
• Cebu Representative Joseph Felix “Ace” Durano might be replaced by Red Durano.
• Cagayan Representative Sally Ponce Enrile might be replaced by her husband, Jack Enrile.
• Camarines Sur Representative Felix William Fuentebella might be replaced by his father, former House Speaker Arnulfo “Noli” Fuentebella.
• Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab might be replaced by his brother, Alberto Ungab.
• Guimaras Representative Joaquin Carlos Nava might be replaced by his wife, Lucille Nava.
• Ilocos Sur Representative Ronald Singson might be replaced by his brother Ryan’s father-in-law, Ilocos Sur Vice Governor Deogracias Victor Savellano.
• Iloilo Representative Hernan Biron Jr might be replaced by his brother, former congressman Ferjenel Biron.
• Isabela Representative Giorgidi Aggabao might be replaced by his wife, Manay Nettie Aggabao.
• La Union Representative Eufranio Eriguel might be replaced by his wife, Agoo town mayor Sandra Eriguel.
• Mandaluyong Representative Neptali Gonzales II might be replaced by wife Alexandria Gonzales.
• Manila 3rd District Representative Zenaida Angping might be replaced by her husband, former congressman and former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping. He was supposed to run for this post in the 2004 elections, but withdrew due to citizenship issues; he was replaced by his wife.
• Muntinlupa City Representative Rodolfo Biazon might be replaced by his son, returning congressman Ruffy Biazon.
• Nueva Ecija Representative Joseph Gilbert Violago might be replaced by either his wife Micaela Violago, who is running under the Liberal Party, or his brother Lito Violago.
• Pangasinan Representative Maria Georgina de Venecia originally filed her certificate of candidacy for reelection, but has been substituted for by her son, Toff de Venecia.
• Quezon province 1st District Representative Wilfrido Mark Enverga might be replaced by his sister, Trina Enverga.
• Quezon province 3rd District Representative Aleta Suarez might be replaced by her husband, former congressman Danilo Suarez.
• Rizal Representative Joel Roy Duavit might be replaced by his brother, returning congressman Jack Duavit.
• Romblon Representative Elandro Jesus Madrona might be replaced by his brother, San Agustin mayor Emmanuel Madrona. 
• Sultan Kudarat Representative Arnulfo Go might be replaced by his wife, Amelia Go.
• Sulu Representative Maryam Arbison might be replaced by her husband, former congressman Munir Arbison.
• Taguig City Representative Lino Cayetano might be replaced by his sister, outgoing Senator Pia Cayetano.
• Valenzuela Representative Sherwin Gatchalian, who is running for senator, might be replaced by his brother, ALAY BUHAY party-list Representative Weslie Gatchalian.
• Zamboanga del Norte Representative Rosendo Labadlabad might be replaced by Gloria Labadlabad.

– Rappler.com