Metro Manila, Philippines – Las Piñas City Councilor Mark Anthony Santos has won the congressional race against Senator Cynthia Villar, securing 109,220 votes — well ahead of Villar’s 79,315.

Santos was proclaimed congressman-elect early Tuesday, marking a significant shift in the city’s political landscape. The congressional post has been held by the Villar family since 1992.

“Tapos na po ang eleksyon. Pangako ko po: trabaho, at kaagapay ko po ang tulong ng bawat mamamayan ng Las Piñas,” Santos said in an ambush interview after his proclamation.

[Translation: The election is over. I promise to deliver jobs and work hand in hand with every Las Piñas resident]
Santos currently serves as a city councilor and will now transition to a seat in Congress.
Villar, who ran for the House seat, is the matriarch of a powerful political family.
Her daughter, Camille Villar, is part of the Senate’s Magic 12 in the partial and unofficial tally, while her son, Mark Villar, is an incumbent senator.