Two political families versus a neophyte are now expected to fight it out in Laguna’s fourth legislative district in the 2025 elections.
As politics and politicking in Laguna province goes into high gear, the race over who will claim the congressional seat of the province’s fourth district, a predominantly rural area where agriculture has been the mainstay of the local population.
The challengers
If OpinYon Laguna’s latest online survey for the fourth district is an indication, it’s going to be a close three-way fight over two prominent political families and an “outlier” (we’re using the word “outlier” in the sense that he is not a member of the political dynasties that had lorded the province for decades).
Three names have been floated as possible contenders: Benjamin Agarao, former 4th District representative (from 2004 to 2007 and again from 2013 to 2022) and father of incumbent Representative Jam Agarao; Antonio “Atty. Tony” Carolino, member of the Carolino political family of Santa Maria; and Pakil Mayor Vince Soriano.
A little bit of history here: the Agaraos and the Carolinos were involved in a bitter fight over the fourth congressional districts in the 2022 elections, after Jam Agarao defeated Atty. Tony Carolino by just over 227 votes (Agarao received 153,495 votes over Carolino's 153,267).
The incumbent's father, former Representative Benjamin Agarao, also ran for mayor of Santa Cruz in the 2022 elections but lost to another former representative, Edgar San Luis.
This time, however, a “dark horse” has threatened to steal the limelight from the two reigning political families in Laguna’s 4th district: Mayor Vince Soriano, who has served as mayor of Pakil town since 2016.
Soriano, it should be noted, is no stranger or newcomer to the local political scene. Before being elected as Mayor of Pakil, he served as a member of the Laguna Provincial Board from 2001 to 2004; as Vice Mayor of Pakil from 1998 to 2001; and as councilor from 1995 to 1998.
Close call?
The latest results of OpinYon Laguna’s survey, which started last September 2, now indicates a “close race” not between Agarao and Carolino but, surprisingly, between Agarao and Soriano.
As of September 5, Agarao has received 808 reactions to the survey, followed by Soriano (560 reactions) and Carolino (179 reactions).
Soriano’s sudden rise may sound as a surprise for non-residents of the fourth district, but some political observers noted that this trend has already been expected.
The Pakil mayor, one political analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity to OpinYon Laguna noted, has made a reputation as a dynamic leader who strived to transform Pakil from a predominantly agricultural town to an economic powerhouse in Laguna’s eastern portion.
But the fact that the elder Agarao has managed to remain on top also shows that “traditional politics” still hold sway among the predominantly rural residents of the fourth district, that analyst opined.
“Of course, hopeful tayo na mayroong nagnanais ng bagong pamumuno, bagong leader’s para sa ikaapat na distrito, gaya ng nangyari sa mga bayan at lungsod sa una at ikalawang distrito ng Laguna noong 2022 elections. Pero let’s also face the fact na dahil sa hindi pa masyadong ‘economically-developed’ ang fourth district, namamayani pa rin ang tradisyunal na sistema ng pulitika,” he explained.
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