By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
(This story is part of a series of election reports examining major political dynasties in Western Visayas.)
Incumbent Aklan Governor Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores is seeking a second term in the 2025 elections, a bid that aims to extend his family’s grip on the province’s highest seat to a total of 24 years.
His reelection bid, however, faces opposition from Pier Teodosio and Willie Tolentino, both of whom challenge the entrenched political dominance of his lineage.
Joen’s political career has been deeply intertwined with his family’s legacy, particularly that of his parents.
Before he was elected governor in 2022, Joen was a two-term provincial board member (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) member of Aklan for the 2nd district from 2010 to 2016. He also served as a two-term mayor of Ibajay — his family’s hometurf — from 2016 to 2022.
Joen’s reelection bid is just one of the Miraflores family’s efforts to maintain their influence, as three of its members are running in the May elections.
His father, Florencio, is also running for the congressional seat of Aklan’s 2nd district, a position currently held by his cousin, Teodorico “Nonong” Tumbocon Haresco Jr., who is seeking his last term.
Florencio’s political career has been long and strategic. He first entered the political scene as mayor of Ibajay from 1988 to 1995.
He then took his political aspirations further, securing the gubernatorial seat of Aklan, which he held for three consecutive terms from 1995 until 2004.
Despite term limits temporarily halting his governorship, Florencio did not step away from power. Instead, he transitioned to national politics, winning a congressional seat as the representative of Aklan’s then-lone district in 2004 and served three terms until 2013.
Florencio ensured that the political baton would never leave his family’s grasp, returning as governor for another nine years from 2013 to 2022.
The Miraflores legacy extends beyond Florencio. His wife, Ma. Lourdes Miraflores, served as mayor of Ibajay from 2007 to 2016. She is also seeking a seat in Congress as a second nominee of the Uswag Ilonggo Partylist, a political group seeking additional representation for Ilonggos.
Florencio’s other son, Jose Miguel Miraflores, was elected mayor of Ibajay in 2022 after previously serving as a provincial board member from 2016 to 2022.
Jose Miguel is seeking a reelection, with a guaranteed victory as he is running unopposed. He was also unopposed in his first mayoral bid in 2022.
POLITICAL DYNASTY TAG DISMISSED
Florencio has firmly denied being a political dynasty in Aklan, despite four members of his family running for office in the 2025 elections.
He stressed that while the 1987 Constitution mentions political dynasties, Congress has not passed an implementing law to define or regulate them.
“Well, as of now, under the constitution, it states that ‘there should be no political dynasty.’ Unfortunately, Congress has not enacted any implementing rules, so there is no such thing as a political dynasty,” he said as quoted by a local radio station.
He argued that having multiple family members running in public office is common in Philippine politics, referencing senators and other national officials who have relatives in government.
The former governor emphasized that elections provide voters the freedom to choose their leaders, making political dynasties a non-issue if the public continues to elect them.
Florencio argued that their political involvement happened “by force of circumstance” rather than personal choice.
He also maintained that their family’s political presence is not a monopoly since they always face challengers during elections.
“You cannot simply say this is a political dynasty because I have opponents. Every election, I have challengers. People always have a choice when voting. It ultimately depends on the Akeanon voters,” he added.
