JE C.C.
The prominent political clan claimed victory in all posts their family members gunned for in the province in the recently-concluded 2022 national and local elections.
If you’re having trouble believing an entire family can simultaneously hold all top political posts in a province, it is time to pay attention to the province of Masbate. The province, which has long been recognized as one of the country’s poorest provinces, remains under the control of a powerful political dynasty — the Kho family.
Several members of the family have already been declared as victors in various positions in the province. Incumbent Governor Antonio Kho won his second re-election and third term as the executive chef of the province. Kho prevented major rival and 1st district representative Narciso ‘Bong’ Bravo, from taking him over. He pulled off a nearly 70,000 lead over Bravo to win the post.
His wife and incumbent Masbate 2nd district representative, Olga Kho, won her bid as her husband’s vice-governor. She defeated Atty. Jesi Howard Lanete, the son of former governor Rizalina Lanete.
More spectacularly, and perhaps shockingly, is that all the legislative posts in the province are won by three of the couple’s children. Newcomer Richard Kho won his bid as a first-time representative for the province’s 1st legislative district. He defeated Rep. Bong Bravo’s wife, Marvi Bravo.
Incumbent Vice Governor Ara Kho, meanwhile, prevailed over Atty. Jesi Howard’s brother, Dr. Scott Davies Lanette, is representative of Masbate’s 2nd legislative district. Re-electionist Wilton Kho, similarly succeeded his bid as Masbate 3rd legislative district’s representative, by defeating former governor Rizalina Lanete.
The Lanetes and Bravos have long challenged the supremacy of the Khos in the province in the last two decades. The Khos, however, proved they have the province, all to themselves, in the next three years.
