By Nimfa Estrellado Sisters VM Palicpic and Mayor Tatlonghari of Pagbilao, Quezon. PAGBILAO, Quezon - In Quezon province, a battle for...
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| Sisters VM Palicpic and Mayor Tatlonghari of Pagbilao, Quezon. |
PAGBILAO, Quezon - In Quezon province, a battle for the mayoral post for the municipal of Pagbilao within the Portes dynasty is underway. Sisters Sherrie Ann Portes-Palicpic and Angelica Portes-Tatlonghari are facing off against each other, marking the first time in the province's history that siblings have competed for the same leadership role.
While competition between political dynasties is not unusual in the province, the intensity of this sibling rivalry has brought a new dimension to the local political landscape. The outcome of this election will not only determine the future leadership of the town but could also reshape the power dynamics within the political dynasty itself.
Palicpic, who served as mayor of Pagbilao from 2019 to 2022, now vice mayor is, according to her, running for mayor in the midterm May 2025 election because she wants to do more for the town's development and progress, particularly in terms of making it a powerful municipality in the province. She does not want to be reliant on anyone or any circumstance.
Palicpic announced her candidacy and filed her certificate of candidacy (COC), along with her complete councilors slate, including Vice Mayor candidate Mcool Martinez. On the final filing day, October 8, 2024, she emphasized, "If reelected, my first priority is to conduct a thorough assessment of Pagbilao's current situation and identify areas for improvement."
She believes her experience and dedication will enable her to guide Pagbilao towards even greater progress in the years to come. Her vision for the municipality includes sustainable development, improved public services, and increased opportunities for all residents.
Addressing the upcoming election, she acknowledged the diverse visions of her fellow candidates but expressed confidence in her own plans to drive positive change and growth for the community. "I am committed to listening to the people's needs and working tirelessly to address them as your mayor," she stated.
Palicpic expressed her commitment to continue the projects and programs she initiated during her previous term, emphasizing the importance of continuity in governance for the town's growth and continued learning. She highlighted the need for sustainable infrastructure and economic initiatives to further elevate Pagbilao's status in the province and make it the powerhouse of the region.
She emphasized that her campaign against her sister wasn't personal; it was simply the nature of the electoral process. They both shared the same goal: serving their community to the best of their abilities. Ultimately, she believed it was up to the voters to decide who was the best candidate, and that family ties shouldn't influence that decision.
On the other hand, the current Mayor Tatlonghari, who has filed COC for the second (2nd) term of mayorship in the town of Pagbilao together with her running mate Wally Dapla and counselors, emphasized the importance of building on the progress made during her first term in office and continuing to prioritize the needs of the community.
Their candidacy filing was intentionally simple and quiet, a deliberate contrast to the more celebratory filings of other candidates. This approach, they felt, reflected their commitment to direct, sincere service to the people of Pagbilao.
She was evasive in giving comments about the political rivalry involving her sister and instead said she believes that by having the right guidance from the Lord, their service for the people will have more direction and a righteous purpose.
According to Tatlonghari, her renewed desire to run for mayor again is to continue the programs she started for the welfare and development of Pagbilao and its residents. She emphasized that with the support of her team, they can further improve the quality of life in their municipality and address the needs of their constituents effectively.
Meanwhile, according to reports, the sudden dismissal of Municipal Administrator Engineer Ian Palicpic on May 10, 2024, has sparked controversy in Pagbilao. Engr. Palicpic, husband of Vice Mayor Shierre Ann, was reportedly dismissed abruptly by Mayor Tatalonghari, who issued a memo through her legal advisor with immediate effect.
Residents allege that Mayor Tatalonghari employed excessive force, involving the police to enforce the dismissal. This display of authority has reportedly upset Vice Mayor Shierre Ann, further escalating tensions between the two officials.
This incident has fueled speculation about the future of their working relationship and its potential impact on the municipality's governance. Residents are closely observing the situation, concerned about how this conflict may affect local administration and services.
In her 2022 mayoral race, Angelica picks Sherrie Anne as her running mate, forming a strong team dedicated to serving the community. She narrowly defeated other candidates in the previous election, securing 20,280 votes while Sherrie Anne received 29,641 votes.
During this time in 2022, Sherrie Ann has publicly expressed her support for her sister’s candidacy and emphasized their shared vision for the progress of Pagbilao. Together, they aim to bring positive change and sustainable development to the municipality through their collaborative efforts.
The filing of COC is finished for the midterm 2025 election, and nobody has filed for a mayor seat in Pagbilao aside from her sister. Making the town wonder if there will be a potential showdown between the two siblings in the upcoming election. However, supporters of both candidates remain hopeful that the competition will be healthy and beneficial for the progress of Pagbilao.
Both the sisters are aligned with the ally of Quezon Governor Angelina "Doktora Helen" Tan in the Stan Up Party in Quezon under the Nationalist People’s Coalition . This alignment could potentially create a dynamic political landscape in Pagbilao, with the possibility of different factions emerging within the town.
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