Former Calamba City Mayor Timmy Chipeco and Mayor Ross Rizal

Calambago defeats Calambalik anew. 

The city of Calamba has blocked yet again the return of the once undefeated Chipeco dynasty to power when it brought back the helm of the city to Mayor Ross Rizal and Lone District Representative Cha Hernandez. 

Both Rizal and Hernandez defeated the once-ruling father and son tandem of Timmy and Jun Chipeco, both having served as mayor and representative of the city in the last two decades. 

Based on the partial, unofficial tally of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on May 13, Rizal led big with 199,205 votes as of 12:01 am. His numbers were thrice that of the younger Chipeco who was behind with 67,193 votes. 

In the congressional race, Hernandez pulled 171,786 votes, miles behind Chipeco Sr. with 41,001 votes. 

Totie Lazaro, Rizal’s running mate also won reelection with over 238,136 votes against opponent, actor Anjo Yllana’s 18,510 votes. 

The Chipecos have long ruled the city from 2004 until 2022. After an 18-year hold to power, their dynasty was wiped out of the local government when Timmy who in 2022 was constitutionally barred for a fourth consecutive term, sought to succeed his father in the congressional race but lost to Hernandez. 

Joey Chipeco, then a councilor, tried to retain the family’s control of the city and battled it out with Rizal, a former ally and vice mayor to Timmy. His loss signaled the exit of the Chipecos from the city government. 

The campaign slogans of the two parties speak of the political mood in the city. Both mixed the city’s name with “balik” (come back) and “bago” (new). 

Chipeco campaigned for his return hence “Calambalik,” a term fought squarely by Rizal’s “Calambago” signaling the city’s need for a new government.