Vilma Santos stands between her sons, Luis “Lucky” Manzano (left) and Ryan Christian Recto (right), during the filing of their certificates of candidacy at the Batangas Provincial Capitol in October 2024. The three ran for key provincial posts in the 2025 elections — Vilma for governor, Luis for vice governor, and Ryan Christian for representative of Batangas’ 6th District.
Batangas, Philippines – Veteran actress and former Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto is leading the province’s gubernatorial race in a high-profile political comeback, as the 2025 midterm elections usher in a new wave of leadership in Batangas.
With 79.68% of precincts reporting as of May 12, Santos-Recto has garnered 529,599 votes (42.47%), ahead of Michael Angelo Rivera, who has received 424,409 votes (34.03%). Santos-Recto previously served three consecutive terms as governor from 2007 to 2016 and later as a member of Congress.
Her return comes at a pivotal moment for Batangas, with the incumbent governor reaching his term limit.
Sons in Politics: Ryan Advances, Luis Trails
Santos-Recto’s sons also entered the political arena this year with mixed results.
Her youngest son, Ryan Christian Recto, is ahead in the race for the 6th District congressional seat in Lipa City, vacated by his father, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, who joined President Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet in 2024. With 80.91% of precincts reporting, Ryan Recto has received 75,323 votes (29.26%), leading Bernadette Sabili who has 59,310 votes (23.04%).
Meanwhile, Luis “Lucky” Manzano, running under the Nacionalista Party, is trailing in the vice gubernatorial race—a race that has drawn heightened attention due to the candidacy of Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas, who is seeking the vice governorship after completing his third consecutive term as governor.
Mandanas has never served as vice governor before. His political résumé includes serving as governor from 1995 to 2004 and again from 2016 to 2025, and as congressman for Batangas’ 2nd District from 2004 to 2013. Rather than exit politics, he filed to run for vice governor in 2025—a move interpreted by analysts as a continuation of his longstanding public service.
As of the latest count, Mandanas leads the vice gubernatorial race with 652,341 votes (54.16%), followed by Manzano with 450,251 votes (37.38%), and Ryanh Dolor, incumbent mayor of Bauan, with 101,891 votes (8.46%).
Addressing the Dynasty Issue
The family’s simultaneous candidacies reignited public debate over political dynasties. Santos-Recto, however, addressed the concern during a televised interview:
“Hindi lang naman kami ang gumagawa,” she said. “We are offering our services, and it’s still the people who decide.”
While the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has not yet proclaimed the winners, early returns indicate a likely return to the provincial capitol for Vilma Santos-Recto and a congressional debut for Ryan Recto. Luis Manzano’s vice gubernatorial bid, however, appears unlikely to succeed against Mandanas’ commanding lead.
As Batangas transitions into a new chapter of leadership, the Santos-Recto family remains a potent political force—balancing legacy, ambition, and public scrutiny.
