Mercado family of Southern Leyte

Governor Damian Mercado, his sister Vice Governor Milai and brother Representative Roger, Roger’s wife Maasin Mayor Luz and their sons Nikko and Mikee · three generations of Southern Leyte offices

6 documented relatives · 6 currently in public office · 11 documented relationships · Province of Southern Leyte

In Southern Leyte the family currently holds office through Damian “Mian” Gaviola Mercado (Southern Leyte governor (re-elected 2025; also 2007–2013) · former lone-district representative and Maasin mayor), Rosa Emilia “Milai” Gaviola Mercado (Southern Leyte vice governor (unopposed 2025; since 2022)) and Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado (Southern Leyte 1st district representative (elected 2025) · former DPWH secretary, governor and lone-district representative).

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Who they are

Damian “Mian” Gaviola Mercado

Southern Leyte governor (re-elected 2025; also 2007–2013) · former lone-district representative and Maasin mayor

In office

Sources: Rappler · Southern Leyte 2025 results (Damian Mercado 126,536 over Amalia Yap 121,334 for governor; Milai Mercado unopposed for vice governor; Oging Mercado 68,306 for 1st district representative; Coco Yap 74,505 for 2nd district); Wikipedia · Damian Mercado: governor since 2016 and 2007–2013, representative 2013–2016, Maasin mayor 1998–2007; suspended August 2017–October 2018; Province of Southern Leyte · Governor Damian G. Mercado (official portrait page); PCIJ · “In Southern Leyte, the Mercado family remains firmly in power. Damian Mercado was reelected governor, sister Milai Mercado as vice governor and brother Roger Mercado as 1st District representative. Second District Rep. Coco Yap secured another term.”; PSA · Southern Leyte governor and vice governor

See Damian “Mian” Gaviola Mercado in the map →

Rosa Emilia “Milai” Gaviola Mercado

Southern Leyte vice governor (unopposed 2025; since 2022)

In office

Sources: Rappler · Southern Leyte 2025 results (Damian Mercado 126,536 over Amalia Yap 121,334 for governor; Milai Mercado unopposed for vice governor; Oging Mercado 68,306 for 1st district representative; Coco Yap 74,505 for 2nd district); Province of Southern Leyte · Vice Governor Rosa Emilia “Milai” Gaviola Mercado, 10th vice governor; PCIJ · “In Southern Leyte, the Mercado family remains firmly in power. Damian Mercado was reelected governor, sister Milai Mercado as vice governor and brother Roger Mercado as 1st District representative. Second District Rep. Coco Yap secured another term.”; PSA · Southern Leyte governor and vice governor

See Rosa Emilia “Milai” Gaviola Mercado in the map →

Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado

Southern Leyte 1st district representative (elected 2025) · former DPWH secretary, governor and lone-district representative

In office

Sources: Rappler · Southern Leyte 2025 results (Damian Mercado 126,536 over Amalia Yap 121,334 for governor; Milai Mercado unopposed for vice governor; Oging Mercado 68,306 for 1st district representative; Coco Yap 74,505 for 2nd district); Wikipedia · Roger Mercado: 1st district representative since 2025 succeeding his wife Luz; former DPWH secretary (2021–2022), governor, lone-district representative; PCIJ · “In Southern Leyte, the Mercado family remains firmly in power. Damian Mercado was reelected governor, sister Milai Mercado as vice governor and brother Roger Mercado as 1st District representative. Second District Rep. Coco Yap secured another term.”; PNA · Leyte and Biliran family relationships

See Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado in the map →

Luz Verano Mercado

Maasin City mayor (elected 2025) · former 1st district representative 2022–2025

In office

Sources: Rappler · Maasin City 2025 results (Luz Mercado 23,443 over Maloney Samaco 22,856 for mayor; Effie Abiera for vice mayor; councilors led by Gani Mercado, Mikee Mercado fourth); Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado; PNA · Leyte and Biliran family relationships

See Luz Verano Mercado in the map →

Nacional “Nikko” Mercado

Executive Assistant V, Maasin City · Maasin City mayor 2016–2025

In office

Sources: Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado; Inquirer · Roger Mercado and son Nacional; Leyte Samar Daily News · Luz succeeds son in Maasin; Maasin City · Heads of offices

See Nacional “Nikko” Mercado in the map →

Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” V. Mercado

Maasin City councilor (re-elected 2025, fourth place)

In office

Sources: Rappler · Maasin City 2025 results (Luz Mercado 23,443 over Maloney Samaco 22,856 for mayor; Effie Abiera for vice mayor; councilors led by Gani Mercado, Mikee Mercado fourth); Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado; Maasin City · Sangguniang Panlungsod; SunStar · Nacional Mercado oath-taking: parents and brother

See Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” V. Mercado in the map →

How they are related

• Damian “Mian” Gaviola Mercado and Rosa Emilia “Milai” Gaviola Mercado — Siblings (Milai is the younger sister)BloodEvidence: PNA · Leyte and Biliran family relationships; Inquirer · Roger Mercado and son Nacional; PCIJ · “In Southern Leyte, the Mercado family remains firmly in power. Damian Mercado was reelected governor, sister Milai Mercado as vice governor and brother Roger Mercado as 1st District representative. Second District Rep. Coco Yap secured another term.”
• Damian “Mian” Gaviola Mercado and Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado — BrothersBloodEvidence: PCIJ · Eastern Visayas family relationships; PCIJ · “In Southern Leyte, the Mercado family remains firmly in power. Damian Mercado was reelected governor, sister Milai Mercado as vice governor and brother Roger Mercado as 1st District representative. Second District Rep. Coco Yap secured another term.”; Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado
• Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado and Luz Verano Mercado — MarriedMarriageEvidence: PNA · Leyte and Biliran family relationships; Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado; Inquirer · Roger Mercado and son Nacional
• Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado and Nacional “Nikko” Mercado — Father → sonBloodEvidence: Inquirer · Roger Mercado and son Nacional; SunStar · Nacional Mercado oath-taking: parents and brother; Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado
• Luz Verano Mercado and Nacional “Nikko” Mercado — Mother → sonBloodEvidence: SunStar · Nacional Mercado oath-taking: parents and brother; Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado
• Nacional “Nikko” Mercado and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” V. Mercado — BrothersBloodEvidence: SunStar · Nacional Mercado oath-taking: parents and brother; Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado
• Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado and Rosa Emilia “Milai” Gaviola Mercado — SiblingsBloodEvidence: PCIJ · “In Southern Leyte, the Mercado family remains firmly in power. Damian Mercado was reelected governor, sister Milai Mercado as vice governor and brother Roger Mercado as 1st District representative. Second District Rep. Coco Yap secured another term.”; Inquirer · Roger Mercado and son Nacional
• Damian “Mian” Gaviola Mercado and Luz Verano Mercado — Brother-in-law ↔ sister-in-lawIn-lawEvidence: Inquirer · Roger Mercado and son Nacional; Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado
• Damian “Mian” Gaviola Mercado and Nacional “Nikko” Mercado — Uncle → nephewBloodEvidence: SunStar · Nacional Mercado oath-taking: parents and brother
• Luz Verano Mercado and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” V. Mercado — Mother → sonBloodEvidence: Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado
• Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” V. Mercado — Father → sonBloodEvidence: SunStar · Nacional Mercado oath-taking: parents and brother; Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado

How this was researched

Reviewed 15 September 2026 against Comelec 2025 results, the provincial government site and Wikipedia biographies; sibling, marriage and parent–child links are stated by Inquirer (2022), SunStar (2019), PCIJ (2025) and Luz Mercado’s biography. Top-placed 2025 Maasin councilor Isagani “Gani” Mercado shares the surname but no source states a relationship, so he is listed on the roster only. Family relationships do not imply wrongdoing or political agreement.

Documented family networks; not a complete government or barangay roster. National offices are distinct from local offices.

Sources

1. Rappler · Southern Leyte 2025 results (Damian Mercado 126,536 over Amalia Yap 121,334 for governor; Milai Mercado unopposed for vice governor; Oging Mercado 68,306 for 1st district representative; Coco Yap 74,505 for 2nd district) · Comelec transparency data, 15 May 2025; read 15 September 2026
2. Wikipedia · Damian Mercado: governor since 2016 and 2007–2013, representative 2013–2016, Maasin mayor 1998–2007; suspended August 2017–October 2018 · Read 15 September 2026
3. Province of Southern Leyte · Governor Damian G. Mercado (official portrait page) · Read 15 September 2026
4. PCIJ · “In Southern Leyte, the Mercado family remains firmly in power. Damian Mercado was reelected governor, sister Milai Mercado as vice governor and brother Roger Mercado as 1st District representative. Second District Rep. Coco Yap secured another term.” · 19 May 2025
5. PSA · Southern Leyte governor and vice governor · 30 June 2026
6. Province of Southern Leyte · Vice Governor Rosa Emilia “Milai” Gaviola Mercado, 10th vice governor · Read 15 September 2026
7. Wikipedia · Roger Mercado: 1st district representative since 2025 succeeding his wife Luz; former DPWH secretary (2021–2022), governor, lone-district representative · Read 15 September 2026
8. PNA · Leyte and Biliran family relationships · 16 May 2025
9. Rappler · Maasin City 2025 results (Luz Mercado 23,443 over Maloney Samaco 22,856 for mayor; Effie Abiera for vice mayor; councilors led by Gani Mercado, Mikee Mercado fourth) · Comelec transparency data, 15 May 2025; read 15 September 2026
10. Wikipedia · Luz Mercado: Maasin mayor since 2025, 1st district representative 2022–2025; married to Roger Mercado; sons Nacional “Nikko” and Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado; brother-in-law Governor Damian Mercado · Read 15 September 2026
11. Inquirer · Roger Mercado and son Nacional · 14 May 2022
12. Leyte Samar Daily News · Luz succeeds son in Maasin · 19 May 2025
13. Maasin City · Heads of offices · Reviewed 15 September 2026
14. Maasin City · Sangguniang Panlungsod · Reviewed 15 September 2026
15. SunStar · Nacional Mercado oath-taking: parents and brother · Reviewed 15 September 2026
16. PCIJ · Eastern Visayas family relationships · 14 May 2025; incorrect reelection/cousin claims excluded

Other families documented in Southern Leyte

• YapRepresentative Christopherson “Coco” Yap and his mother Amalia, who challenged Governor Mercado in 2025

All families and officials in Southern Leyte →