1. The Cojuangco Family
The first female President of our country, former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, came from this clan and is probably the most famous politician from the family. This Filipino-Chinese family is one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in our country not only because of their businesses but also because of their involvement in our politics. The dynasty started with Melecio Cojuangco who was the First Representative of Tarlac's first district from 1907-1909. Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. was a former Presidential candidate in 1992 ans was also part of the House of Representatives. Former President Cory Aquino's father, Don Jose Cojuangco Sr, was a Representative in the 10th Philippine Assembly. Cory was not his only child that joined politics because in fact, his son Jose Cojuangco Jr was part of the House of Representatives and his daughter-in-law, Margarita Cojuangco was a provincial Governor. One of the Cojuangcos, specifically Mercedes Cojuangco, married Gilberto Teodoro Sr. which linked the two families and adding the famous Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr., a Presedential candidate for the 2010 elections, part of the family tree.
2. The Aquino Family
The Aquino name is one of the most known and most influential names in politics today. The name dates all the way back from the Spanish era General Servillano Aquino served as a delegate in the malolos congress. Until now the Aquinos still hold powerful political positions with Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III serving as the President of the Philippines. Noynoy's cousin, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV is a senator elect of our country. Tessie Aquino-Oreta and Agapito "Butz" Aquino were former senators of our country. The assassination of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. gave rise to the name on August 21, 1983. He was a senator who fought for freedom, opposing Marcos during his presidency. Following this, his wife, Corazon Cojuanco-Aquino ran for presidency and won. She became renowned for her peaceful revolution and her admiration as the first female president of the Philippines.
3. The Marcos Family
The Marcos held power in Ilocos Norte since 1925. Ferdinand Marcos held the longest term in the Philippines, from 1965 to 1986. During his term, he implemented the martial law. He was eventually removed from office and died in exile. This was considered a harsh time for the Philippines which started revolutions in attempts to remove him from office. Today, his son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or Bongbong, is a senator, his daughter, Imee Marcos, is a governor, and his wife, Imelda Marcos, is a congresswoman of Ilocos Norte.
4. The Binay Family
The Binays hold power in Makati since 1986 when Corazon Conjuanco-Aquino appointed Jejomar Binay as Mayor of Makati. He was succeeded by his wife, Elenita Binay, who was a doctor before she was appointed. Jejomar Binay is cuurently the Vice President of our country while his son, Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay is the current Mayor of Makati and his daughters, Maria Lourdes "Nancy" Binay is a senator and Marlen Abigail "Abby" Binay is a Representative of the 2nd district of Makati. The Binays have been one of the centers of attention when it comes to corruption for they have unexplained wealth such as 400 hectres of property and Jejomar’s wife being linked to Php 72.06 million grant.
5. The Ejercito-Estrada Family
This family was the hottest topic from 1998-2001 which was when Joseph "Erap" Estrada was the president who is also the first president to be impeached from his position. Erap was able to become a Mayor of San Juan, Vice President, President and is currently the Mayor of Manila. After the unfortunate event that happened to him, his sons Jose "Jinggoy" Ejercito Estrada and Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito Estrada are still involved with politics up to now and are both senators and were former Mayors of San Juan. The wife of Erap, Luisa Pimentel-Ejercito also became a senator after her husband's reign. Emilio Ramon Ejercito III or most popularly known as E.R. Ejercito is the nephew of the former president and was the Governor of Laguna and is currently the Mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna.
6. The Macapagal-Arroyo Family
Who could forget our former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo? the daughter of the former President Diosdado Macapagal from 1957-1961 made their family more popular with all of the issues and problems that our country faced because of her. She was Joseph Estrada's Vice President and since Erap was impeached, she became the President of our country from 2001-2010. This family still reigns in their province, Pampanga and some areas in Camarines Sur and Negros Occidental. Former President Gloria Arroyo now holds a congressional position in Pampanga and three other relatives are part of the House of Representatives. Her children are into politics as well; Diosdado Ignacio Arroyo is the current Congressman of the second district of Camarines Sur, while her brother-in-law, Ignacio Arroyo is in the fifth district of Negros Occidental. Her eldest son, Mikey Arroyo, owns a seat in the House of Representatives and was part of the second district in Pampanga.