Jeyzl Victoria and Joseph Kim Yu Photo by Provincial Press Bureau
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Siblings Jeyzl Victoria and Joseph Kim Yu submitted their certificates of candidacy (COC) on Saturday for the two available seats in the House of Representatives from Zamboanga del Sur province.
They are the offspring of Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu and Representative Divina Grace Yu.
Jeyzl Victoria is running for reelection in the second congressional district, while Joseph Kim, who is currently the president of Libertad Power and Energy Corp., is campaigning for the first congressional district seat.
In a brief interview, Jeyzl Victoria expressed her desire to continue enhancing infrastructure in the province, particularly by building more roads and school facilities.
Political dynasties are a prominent feature of the political landscape in the Philippines, where family ties often play a crucial role in governance. Many parents in positions of power, whether at the city, provincial, or national level, tend to pass on their political legacies to their children, creating a cycle of influence that can span generations. This practice is deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture, where familial loyalty and patronage systems often overshadow merit-based governance. As a result, political families dominate elections and policymaking processes, making it challenging for new and diverse voices to emerge in the political arena. The prevalence of these dynasties raises concerns about the concentration of power and the implications for democratic representation in the Philippines.