DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite — Just months after former Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga was expelled from the House of Representatives, his mother, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer “Jenny” Barzaga, has emerged victorious in the special election held to fill the congressional seat he left behind.
Jenny Barzaga was proclaimed the new representative of Cavite’s 4th District after winning the August 29, 2026 special election by a commanding margin, effectively keeping the congressional post in the hands of the Barzaga family.
According to election results reported by DZRH, Barzaga received 201,893 votes out of 258,371 ballots cast, while former vice mayor Raul Rex Mangubat finished second with 30,373 votes. Former councilor Jacinto Bautista Frani Jr. placed third with 24,350 votes. The reported voter turnout was 57.75%.
A Special Election Triggered by Kiko Barzaga’s Expulsion
The special election was called after the House of Representatives expelled Kiko Barzaga on June 2, 2026, creating a vacancy in Cavite’s 4th congressional district, which covers Dasmariñas City.
The House found the young lawmaker guilty of disruptive and disorderly conduct, following proceedings before the chamber’s ethics bodies. Earlier reports said the expulsion came after Barzaga had already faced two 60-day suspensions without pay.
Five candidates eventually entered the race, but Jenny Barzaga quickly established a massive lead as votes were counted. Her closest rival, Mangubat, conceded on election night after partial and unofficial results showed her far ahead.
Rain, Low-Turnout Concerns—and a Decisive Result
The election unfolded amid heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, prompting concerns that fewer voters would head to polling centers. The Commission on Elections had initially hoped for a turnout of around 60% to 65%, while weather conditions forced election officials to take additional steps to accommodate voters.
Despite the difficult weather, thousands of Dasmarineños cast their ballots to choose a new representative for the district.
Under Philippine election rules, the winner of the special congressional election only needed to receive the highest number of votes, rather than a majority of all registered voters.
A Political Dynasty Continues in Dasmariñas
Jenny Barzaga’s victory is also significant because it extends the Barzaga family’s decades-long political influence in Dasmariñas.
The family’s political presence in the city dates back to 1998, when the late Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. first became mayor. Over the years, members of the family have alternated between key local and congressional positions, making the Barzagas one of Cavite’s most recognizable political families.
With Jenny Barzaga now moving to Congress, attention may also turn to the next chapter in Dasmariñas City Hall. Reports noted that her departure from the mayoralty could trigger the local succession process, with Vice Mayor Thirdy Barzaga expected to assume the position under existing succession rules.
What Happens Next?
Jenny Barzaga’s win closes one chapter of a turbulent political episode that saw her son removed from Congress—but it opens another for one of Cavite’s most influential political families.
For Dasmariñas, the message from the special election is now clear: the congressional seat has changed hands, but it has remained within the Barzaga family.
As the newly elected representative prepares to take her seat in the House, all eyes will be on how she defines her own leadership—and whether her victory marks continuity for Dasmariñas or the beginning of a new political chapter.
From controversy and expulsion to a landslide victory, the Barzaga story in Dasmariñas is far from over.
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