THE Dad-mom-daughter spectacle in Bohol who became as mayor in their respective turf is no ordinary feat, not just building a family political dynasty, but to hopefully serve the people sincerely.
But only a handful family did it (Dad-mom-daughter). Some failed. Some say, it’s a family affair, maybe or maybe not.
Aside from this, the figures of municipal mayors and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), the highest policy-making body, are also significant. As elections are conducted every three years, some of them come and go.
Two of the three congressional districts are occupied by two lady legislators —- Congresswoman Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado (2022-2028), wife of Gov. Aris Aumentado and Congresswoman Kristine Alexie Besas Tutor on her third and final term (2019-2028). Never in the history of Bohol that the districts are dominated by ladies. There may be a challenge who would be the first lady provincial governor.
The SP has now five lady legislators as Cortes town councilor Jhoanna Cabaliy-Initay was elected as president of the Philippine councilors’ League of the Philippines-Bohol chapter on August 22, 2025. But it seems there’s no power or term-sharing being mentioned in her interview.
Provincial Board Members Tita V. Baja, (senior BM), Atty. Jamie A. Villamor (both on second term), BM Lucille Lagunay (last term), and neophyte but experienced medical doctor, Dr. Mutya Kismet T. Macuno are a real powerhouse hopefully can enact substantial local laws for the welfare of all they sworn to serve.
Bohol towns never run out of lady local chief executives (LCE or municipal mayor) to steer their respective area of jurisdiction. In the last elections (2025), some of them survived the onslaught of political wranglings, which may be considered “natural,” but for others it’s a political noise. Many said it’s a “thrill” for Philippine politics to work.
Anda Mayor Angelina “Inday” Simacio was reelected, this time, for her 2nd term (2022-2028); Candijay Mayor Thamar Olaivar (2022-2028), who was unopposed in last polls. Neophyte former municipal councilor Violeta Reyes, now mayor of the biggest town of Ubay in terms of population and land area.
Talibon Garcia Janette Aurestila Garcia (2019-2028) retains her title; lawyer Trisha Veloso Chatto (2025-2028) was elected as municipal mayor of Balilihan, succeeding her mother, Pureza Veloso Chatto; and newcomer Danao Mayor Celeste Cepedoza Lerin, former municipal councilor of said town.
Carmen Mayor Conchita “Che” Toribio-delos Reyes is on her 2nd term this time. She served as mayor in 2010-2013. And Dauis Mayor Marietta “Miriam” Tocmo Sumaylo, who also served as vice-mayor in 2022-2025. Hopefully, she’ll be successful in an attempt to block her dismissal from public service after the Ombudsman handed down recently its decision against her.
The family of then priest-turned-politician-family man, Atty. Roberto “Ondoy” Cajes, now mayor of Trinidad town for his second term. Atty. Cajes was then congressman representing the second district (2007-2010). He also served as provincial board member during the incumbency of then Gov. Erico Boyles Aumentado in the early 2000s.
Thru sheer hard work for his children out of passion to potentially follow his path, Jane Censoria Cajes-Yap, now on her 2nd term (2022-2025) as mayor of Tagbilaran city, the capital.
But before that, her mother Judith del Rosario-Cajes was also the former Trinidad town mayor for three straight terms (2013-2022).
Probably, the Cajes couple had maybe another plan for their third girl in the family, Joan Robie who was then a town councilor for three terms, now the Vice-Mayor of Trinidad. If his father, who may have in mind to be inactive in politics, decides to (maybe) call it quits during his term now, then Joan Robie could be Trinidad Mayor. If this happens, two of Cajes kids are mayors in this lifetime.
In Balilihan, the mayor-elect Trisha Veloso-Chatto (2025-2028) is no new in politics before she became a lady mayor of the town. She’s a lawyer by profession and ex-vice-mayor, probably following the footsteps of her father, then congressman Edgardo Migrino Chatto, who was trounced by the newbie, then city mayor John Gessnell “Baba” Lim Yap in the congress race in 2025.
Trisha’s mother then Mayor Pureza V. Chatto (brother of city ex-vice-mayor Toto Veloso) steered the reign fo Balilihan for three terms (2016-2025). Before that, then congressman Chatto was the former mayor in the early 1990’s before embarking on a journey to become vice-governor (1996-2001) and governor in 2001-2010.
Trisha’s grandma, the late Victoria Chatto, was municipal vice-mayor of Balilihan. Her grandpa, the late Eladio” “Kiking” Chatto was former assemblyman in the 80’s and the municipal mayor of the town. As if blood really runs in the family’s political life.
The case of Danao town, it may be that the mother did not become municipal mayor. Danao town is becoming progressive. Celeste Cepedoza Lerion is now the lady mayor of Danao from her being a municipal councilor. Probably her father, then mayor Jose Gonzaga Cepedoza (2019-2025) decided to let it go since about time to give opportunity for her daughter steer the reign of the town’s gargantuan task… to be great and serve well her constituents.
Jose Cepedoza was mayor before then the late Tommy Redulla Gonzaga, his nephew, was the mayor. After the passing of Tommy, his mother, Naty Redulla Gonzaga, wife then NAPOCOR chief Asisclo Gonzaga, assume the post.
On the part of then Cortes Mayor Lyn Iven Lim (2016-2025), it may not be totally a failure to make his daughter former councilor Ira Lim, mayor. Ira Lim did not make it in the mayoralty race against now Mayor Uy, who got only a single digit margin to become mayor. (Ric Obedencio)
