Santos defeats Villar in Las Piñas congressional race, ends 32-year dynasty

For the first time since 1992, no member of the Villar family will have a seat in the House of Representatives, as Las Piñas City Councilor Mark Anthony Santos defeated Senator Cynthia Villar in the race for the city’s lone congressional district.

Based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) unofficial count as of May 12, 2025, 11:24 p.m., with 100% of election returns transmitted, Santos garnered 115,757 votes, while Villar received 83,975.

Louie Redoble fell behind at third with 36,838 votes, and Barry Tayam had 9,768 votes. 

“Taos puso pong pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga kababayan ko sa Las Piñas,” said Santos on May 13.

The upset marks a significant political shift in Las Piñas, ending the Villar family's uninterrupted grip on the district since patriarch Manny Villar first held the congressional seat in 1992.

During the campaign period, Santos vowed to prioritize social housing, students’ allowance, and the expansion of free hospitalization programs across the city.

He reiterated that he aims to pass a bill that would add another Las Piñas House seat. 

Meanwhile, April and Imelda Aguilar held commanding leads over their respective opponents as the daughter-and-mother tandem currently has 89,724 and 94,427 votes, respectively, as of May 13, 2025, at 3:22 a.m.

In Las Piñas’ First District, unofficial results show Alelee Aguilar, Albie Aguilar, Jess Bustamente, Doc Eric De Leon, Mac-Mac Santos, and Robert Cristobal leading the race to complete the slate of winning councilors.

While in the Second District, the leading councilors are Lord Aguilar, Henry Medina, Ruben Ramos, Emmanuel Luis Casimiro, Danok Hernandez, and Macky Saito.

Santos was formally proclaimed as the newly elected district representative of Las Piñas by the city’s board of canvassers early this morning, May 13.