Las Piñas City councilor Mark Anthony Santos files his certificate of candidacy, October 6, 2024. Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Mark Antony Santos, the newly-elected congressional representative of Las Piñas, said Thursday it was "not in my wildest dreams" to challenge the Villar family's decades-long hold in the post. 

Santos pulls off massive upset win vs Cynthia Villar in Las Piñas

"Not in my wildest dream talaga na tumakbo and to fight against a well-entrenched family in Las Piñas," he told ANC's Headstart.

Santos was proclaimed Las Piñas congressman-elect after defeating Sen. Cynthia Villar. As of Thursday's partial and unofficial count, Santos had obtained 108,206 votes while Villar only had 78,526 votes.

It was one of the most stunning upsets in the 2025 midterm polls considering that the Villars had occupied the said congressional post since 1992.

"If you can imagine pinakamayaman, number 1 sa Forbes list... It's a historical record sa Las Piñas, since 1992 nasa Villar ang mga congress representatives namin dito," Santos said.

But Santos said he remained "grounded" and gave in to the public clamor for change. 

"Kasi grounded tayo, nagkaroon tayo ng consultation. Siguro public clamor na rin ito for a change," he said.

There is such thing as a good dynasty, says Villar

Santos was long-time councilor in the city, and aligned with the Aguilars, a family who is also related to the Villars. 

The new congressman denied that his victory was only a result of the alleged infighting between the 2 political families, adding that he was an "independent" candidate. 

Santos said his advocacy in the upcoming Congress is to push for socialized housing. 

He said he hoped that his win could be an inspiration for leaders who were "never given a chance" due to the country's political landscape. 

Halalan 2025: Aguilars maintain grip on Las Piñas’ local posts, Santos beats Villar

"Maraming qualified na magagaling na tao. Pero dahil sa situation, political landscape, talagang wala eh, never given a chance. I hope sa susunod na eleksyon, pero alam mo, ano to kumbaga nagising na mga tao," he said. 

Santos also offered his hands to the Villars after the election. 

"I'm offering my hand to them, sana tumulong na lang sila sa Las Piñas, tapos na ang eleksyon, let's buckle down to work," he said. 

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