Dasmariñas City casts vote for new congressman

Here is what to expect during the special election on August 29. Five candidates are vying for the congressional seat vacated by the expelled Kiko Barzaga. Voters in Dasmariñas City will participate in a special election on August 29 to choose a new congressional representative following the expulsion of Kiko Barzaga for misconduct. Five candidates are competing for the seat, including current mayor Jenny Barzaga, who has received endorsements from local officials, and former councilor Jesse Frani, who previously ran against Kiko Barzaga. The election will utilize manual voting at 43 centers, with specific provisions for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and local authorities have implemented security measures including a gun ban. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. CAVITE, Philippines – Voters in Dasmariñas City will choose on Saturday, August 29, who their congressional representative will be, replacing the expelled Kiko Barzaga. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared August 29 a special non-working day in Dasmariñas via Proclamation No. 1369 to enable voters to participate in the special election. The first-class city, which comprises the 4th District of Cavite, has 447,387 registered voters from 75 barangays. Five candidates are vying for the congressional seat: Mayor Jenny Barzaga, mother of Kiko and a former congresswoman herself Marvin Dupal-ag Former councilor Jesse Frani, who gave Kiko a close fight in 2025 Former vice mayor Rex Mangubat Leysander Aguilar Ordenes Reason for the special election Kiko Barzaga was expelled by the House of Representatives last June 2 for disorderly behavior, conduct unbecoming of a member, and violations of the House’s Code of Conduct. He is the second lawmaker in Philippine history to face such a penalty. He was previously suspended for repeatedly interrupting House sessions, mocking chamber leaders like then-speaker Martin Romualdez, and making slanderous remarks while broadcasting plenary sessions on the budget without permission. He continued with his disruptive behavior, leading the House ethics committee to conclude that “another penalty of suspension will not likely deter the improper behavior that reflects negatively on the House.” ALSO ON RAPPLER [Tech Thoughts] Kiko Barzaga’s House expulsion is just about right Kiko Barzaga’s playbook: When shitposting becomes a political tool LIST: The social media posts that got Kiko Barzaga in trouble Backgrounds of leading candidates Jenny Barzaga is the current mayor of Dasmariñas, and is on her last term. When her husband, the dynasty patriarch Elpidio, was stil alive, the two of them traded posts as mayor and district representative whenever they reached their term limits. If and when she wins as congresswoman, the mayor’s post she will vacate will be assumed by the vice mayor, who is her other son, Elpidio Barzaga III. For the special election, Jenny got the endorsement of Cavite Governor Abeng Remulla and Vice Governor Ram Revilla. Frani, a former councilor, challenged Kiko Barzaga in the congressional race in 2025, and lost by only around 15,000 votes — a historically narrow margin for a Barzaga candidate. Frani specifically campaigned on working for a retarded basin for the city, expansion and improvement of the emergency room of the Pagamutan ng Dasmariñas, and the establishment of a state university. Mangubat is the immediate former vice mayor of Dasmariñas. His three consecutive terms ended in 2025. In an interview with Rappler, he urged voters to choose their candidate wisely because that’s the only way to address the problems of the city and improve the residents’ lives. What to expect on election day The special election will use the manual voting process in all 43 voting centers, with 1,308 clustered precincts. Early voting hours, from 5 am to 7 am, will be exclusively for senior citizens, persons with disability (PWDs), and pregnant voters. Regular voting hours will be from 7 am to 3 pm. There will still be a special lane for senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant voters during the regular voting window. The local police have set up checkpoints around the city, while implementing a gun ban until September 13. Buying, selling, and drinking of alcoholic beverages is also prohibited starting Friday, August 28, until election day. “Hopefully, we can proclaim the winner on Sunday, August 30,” Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia said. – Rappler.com Follow updates on the Dasmariñas election in the Philippine Politics channel on the Rappler app. How does this make you feel? Loading