Five individuals have filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) in the wake of former Cavite Fourth District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga’s expulsion from the House of Representatives. The special congressional elections will be held on August 29, over two months after Kiko was removed from office.
Among those seeking to replace him are his mother, current Dasmariñas Mayor Jennifer “Jenny” Austria-Barzaga, and Rex Mangubat, who served as the city’s vice mayor alongside Barzaga’s late father, Elpidio “Pidi” Frani Barzaga Jr., from 2016 to 2019. Pidi also served as the lone district representative from 2019 until his passing in April 2024.
Mangubat was the first to file his COC on July 15. Responding to criticism that he is running against a former colleague’s family, he said he was thankful for the opportunities that Pidi gave him to serve during their tenure.
“Ngunit ang paglilingkod-bayan ay hindi habambuhay na utang na loob,” Mangubat said. “Ang pagkakataong ibinigay sa akin ay hindi para manatili akong tapat sa isang pangalan o pamilya. Iyon ay para paglingkuran ang bawat Dasmarineño.”
What Happens to Dasmariñas’ Mayorship if Jenny Austria-Barzaga Wins Congress?
Austria-Barzaga filed her COC on July 17. She announced her candidacy on Facebook, saying, “With your trust and support, I remain committed to serving every Dasmarineño and continuing the progress of our beloved City of Dasmariñas.”
With Austria-Barzaga vying for a seat in the House of Representatives, her son and Kiko’s brother, Dasmariñas Vice Mayor Elpidio “Third” Barzaga III, has assumed the position of acting mayor. Should she be elected district representative, Third will become the new mayor.
When asked about the possibility of becoming mayor, Third told reporters that he was nervous but excited. “There are some personal projects and programs that I want to do personally,” he said. “I might have a different style for mayor, and there’s going to be a bit of a learning phase to it for sure.” He also said that his mother would vote in favor of the anti-dynasty bill if she wins the special elections.
Marvin Dupal-ag, Leysander Ordenes, and Jesse Frani Complete the Five-Candidate Field
Another aspirant is Marvin Opamin Dupal-ag, who was nabbed in 2019 as a murder and carnapping suspect in Cebu. There are no other available reports regarding the progress of Dupal-ag’s case, but he has amassed a following of over 7,800 on Facebook, where he often posts about being dissatisfied with the local government’s services. “Puro sila galing sa panunungkulan,” he said of his fellow candidates in his most recent post. “Sila ay puro dating pulitiko, ang isa ay hanggang ngayon. Bakit ayaw nilang pag-usapan ang dekada ng problema sa drugs dito sa ating lugar?” Dupal-ag was the second to file a COC on July 15.
Leysander Aguilar Ordenes, another congressional hopeful, is a retired special warfare commander of the Philippine Navy. He had previously filed his candidacy for the 2022 presidential elections, styling himself a “pandemic warfare mitigator,” according to Rappler.
Jacinto “Jesse” Bautista Frani Jr. is likewise no stranger to the polls after running against Kiko in the 2025 congressional elections. He was Kiko’s closest competition, garnering the second-highest number of votes but losing by over 5,000 votes. In a video posted on July 16, as he filed his COC, Frani asked his followers to give him a chance in public service. He also took his oath as a member of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas on July 15.
On July 23, the Dasmariñas city government donated P50 million to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the conduct of the special elections. Third was present at the turnover of the donation to Comelec.
Frequently Asked Questions
The candidates for Cavite fourth district representative are Jenny Austria-Barzaga, Rex Mangubat, Marvin Dupal-ag, Leysander Ordenes, and Jesse Frani, all vying to replace former Rep. Kiko Barzaga.
The special election is set for August 29, more than two months after Kiko Barzaga’s expulsion from the House of Representatives.
Jenny Austria-Barzaga is the current Dasmariñas mayor and Kiko Barzaga’s mother. She is running to continue her family’s congressional representation in the district. She previously served as district representative from 2016 to 2019.
Dasmariñas Vice Mayor Elpidio “Third” Barzaga III, Jenny’s son and Kiko’s brother, would become mayor, having already assumed the role as acting mayor.
The Dasmariñas city government donated P50 million to the Commission on Elections on July 23 to help fund the conduct of the special congressional election.
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