Congressman Olivarez running for Parañaque mayor

MANILA, Philippines — Parañaque 1st District Rep. Edwin Olivarez formally announced yesterday his bid to switch places with his younger brother and incumbent Mayor Eric Olivarez in the May 2025 midterm elections.

Eric will run as congressman under the local party Bagong Parañaque and Lakas-CMD party, a prominent fixture in the country’s political scene.

Edwin served as city mayor from 2013 to 2022. He also chaired the Metro Manila Council, the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

He is presently the chairman of the House committee on government enterprises and privatization.

Eric entered politics in 2007 when he ran for a seat in the Parañaque City Council and served for six years.

In 2013, he was elected congressman of the city’s first district, succeeding his older brother Edwin, who was elected mayor.

Eric served as congressman for three terms. In 2022, he ran and won as mayor.

Their father, Pablo Olivarez, served as city mayor from 1982 to 1985. Their younger sister Eva Olivarez is the captain of Barangay San Dionisio.

The political dynasty of the Bernabe clan ended in 2013 when Edwin defeated then city councilor Benjo Bernabe in the mayoralty race.

Benjo is the son of former Parañaque mayor Florencio Bernabe.

Edwin defeated the older Bernabe by a wide margin during the 2019 elections.

In the 2025 polls, Edwin’s running mate is incumbent Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte, who defeated Eric’s vice mayoralty candidate and former councilor Binky Favis in the 2022 national elections.

There will be minor changes in the lineup for councilors in the city’s two legislative districts, according to Edwin. Candidates for councilors in the 1st District include reelectionist Pablo Olivarez, Edwin’s eldest son and former city public information head, as well as Rina Gabriel.

They will file their certificates of candidacy on Oct. 7.