FOR more than half a century now, the Osmeña clan has dominated the political landscape of Cebu, which rivals Manila in terms of economic importance and political influence. But since 1986, another family has been gaining considerable political ground in the province. In the last few years, it has become even more powerful with the growing public perception that it is close to Malacañang.

The elections this May could offer the strongest indication yet on how far up the Garcia family can go in Cebu’s political totem pole. Up for reelection as governor is Gwendolyn Fiel “Gwen” Garcia, whose immediate predecessor was her father, clan patriarch Pablo Sr. or Pabling. The former governor is himself coming out of retirement to vie for the seat of the 2nd district of Cebu. Should he win, he could be sitting in Congress with his youngest son, Pablo John, who wants to become representative of the family’s bailiwick, the 3rd district of the province.

A sweep by the Garcias at the polls may not only highlight the continuing waning dominance of the Osmeñas in local, if not national, politics. It may also signal the Garcias’ assumption of the role the Osmeñas have traditionally performed: that of deciding the political fate of Cebu.

We hope the piece, which is part of our continuing series on new political families, will illuminate the impact of clans in our country’s politics.

Read on at pcij.org.

THIS is definitely not the season for humility, of letting one’s achievements do the talking. This is the season of inflating one’s accomplishments whether real, imagined, or promised.

In Caloocan City, you won’t move a mile without seeing the name and face of its mayor, Enrico “Recom” Echiverri. When he came to office in 2004, he came up with the slogan “Echiverri Nice City.” You’ll see these words wrapped around a blushing yellow smiley with a thumbs up, complete with a mustache much like the mayor’s. Then he attached it to almost anything that doesn’t move. His every accomplishment, even the most mundane, like having a drainage cleaned, is trumpeted via a billboard. In almost every street corner, he has a a banner or a billboard.

Lately, the mayor’s posters and billboards include the name of his son, Ricojudge, barangay captain of Morning Breeze village who is running for congressman of the city’s first district. The mayor even finds ways to insert his and his son’s name in banners about government events, though he offered nothing beyond the slogan.

For example, during the Fire Prevention Month, the city’s banners reminded the people of the 117 hotline for police and fire emergencies. Though the hotline is the most important message, it is minuscule compared to the size of the font used for the names of the mayor and his son. Even banners about religious events display his name more prominently than the bishop and the priest who were guests at the event.

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