Mayor Lani Cayetano picks another bet over in-law Lino for Taguig representative

MANILA, Philippines — Incumbent Mayor Lani Cayetano is backing reelectionist Taguig District 1 Representative Ricardo “Ading” Cruz instead of her brother-in-law Lino Cayetano who is running for the same post in the 2025 elections.

Lino is the brother of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano. Pia and Lani are likewise seeking reelection.

On Monday, October 7, Lani accompanied Cruz and Fort Bonifacio Barangay Chairman Jorge Daniel Bocobo when they filed their certificate of candidacies. Bocobo is gunning for congressman of Taguig’s 2nd District.

Lani, however, declined to be interviewed during the filing of Cruz and Bocobo.

In a different event, Alan was also seen raising the hands of Cruz and Bocobo.

When Lino filed his certificate of candidacy under the Nationalist People’s Coalition on Thursday, October 3, he said he was hopeful that his sister-in-law will support his bid in Congress.

He said that he initially wanted to run as mayor but opted to run for a House seat to give way to his sister-in-law.

“Nagbigay daan tayo noon 2022 and itong 2025 ay muli tayo ay magbibigay daan para kay Ate Lani Lopez Cayetano bilang Mayor – suportado natin siya,” Lino said in a Facebook post. (We gave way in 2022, and this 2025, we will once again make way for Ate Lani Lopez Cayetano as mayor – we support her)

Taguig has been the bailiwick of the Cayetanos since their late patriarch Rene Compañero Cayetano started his political career as congressman of Taguig–Pateros–Muntinlupa.

The Commission on Elections recently placed barangays Comembo, Pembo, and Rizal under the first district of Taguig. These barangays are three of the 10 Enlisted Men’s Barrios (EMBO), that used to belong to Makati but are now part of Taguig.

Lino previously served as Taguig congressman from 2013 to 2016. He also served as mayor from 2019 to 2022.

Both of the District 1 candidates, Lino and Cruz, said they would prioritize creation of additional district in Taguig to ensure the representation of the residents in EMBO.

Meanwhile, Bocobo will challenge incumbent congresswoman Pammy Zamora. Pammy is the sister of incumbent San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and San Juan congresswoman Bel Zamora. Francis and Bel are also up for reeelction.

– Rappler.com