Tan (Sulu) family of Sulu

Vice Governor Abdusakur "Sakur" Mahail Tan and his wife, former vice governor Nurunisah Abubakar-Tan, are the parents of Governor Abdusakur "Toto" Tan II, 1st district Rep. Samier Tan, Maimbung Mayor Shihla Tan-Hayudini and Maimbung Vice Mayor Shernee Tan-Tambut; Sakur's first cousin Kerkhar Tan and Kerkhar's son Ezzeddin were Jolo's mayor and vice mayor in 2019-2025.

11 documented relatives · 5 currently in public office · 16 documented relationships · Province of Sulu

In Sulu the family currently holds office through Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan (Vice governor of Sulu (2025-); governor 1996-2001, 2007-2013, 2019-2025; vice governor 2013-2016; representative, 1st district 1987-1992; Jolo municipal councilor 1981-1987) and Abdusakur Abubakar “Toto” Tan II (Governor of Sulu (2025-); governor 2013-2019; vice governor 2019-2025).

Open the interactive map →Tap any name to follow the connection and read the evidence behind it.

Who they are

Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan

Vice governor of Sulu (2025-); governor 1996-2001, 2007-2013, 2019-2025; vice governor 2013-2016; representative, 1st district 1987-1992; Jolo municipal councilor 1981-1987

In office

Sources: Rappler 2025 results, Sulu; MindaNews · MINDANAO 2025: Still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces — 'John Tracy Cagas (NP), nephew of Douglas'; Province of Sulu (sulu.gov.ph) · Governor's Profile (archived)

See Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan in the map →

Abdusakur Abubakar “Toto” Tan II

Governor of Sulu (2025-); governor 2013-2019; vice governor 2019-2025

In office

Sources: Rappler 2025 results, Sulu; MindaNews · MINDANAO 2025: Still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces — 'John Tracy Cagas (NP), nephew of Douglas'

See Abdusakur Abubakar “Toto” Tan II in the map →

Samier Abubakar Tan

Representative, 1st district (2019-); mayor of Maimbung 2010-2019

In office

Sources: Rappler 2025 results, Sulu; MindaNews · MINDANAO 2025: Still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces — 'John Tracy Cagas (NP), nephew of Douglas'; Rappler · 2016 story naming Maimbung Mayor Samier Abubakar Tan as the governor's brother

See Samier Abubakar Tan in the map →

Shernee Abubakar Tan-Tambut

Vice mayor of Maimbung (2025-); Kusug Tausug party-list representative 2016-2025

In office

Sources: Rappler 2025 results, Maimbung; MindaNews · MINDANAO 2025: Still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces — 'John Tracy Cagas (NP), nephew of Douglas'; Bulatlat · Party-list groups: family enterprise

See Shernee Abubakar Tan-Tambut in the map →

Shihla Tan-Hayudini

Mayor of Maimbung (2019-; re-elected 2022 and 2025)

In office

Sources: Rappler 2025 results, Maimbung; MindaNews · MINDANAO 2025: Still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces — 'John Tracy Cagas (NP), nephew of Douglas'; MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org)

See Shihla Tan-Hayudini in the map →

Aiman Tan

Vice mayor of Maimbung (to 2025; re-elected 2022)

Not in office

Sources: MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org); Rappler · Political clans easily win reelection in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi; Journal Online · Lakas strength grows (50 Sulu officials join Lakas-CMD)

See Aiman Tan in the map →

Nurunisah Abubakar-Tan

Vice governor of Sulu 2016-2019 (acting governor in 2018 per Politiko)

Not in office

Sources: Bulatlat · Party-list groups: family enterprise; Politiko Mindanao · VG Nurunisah Tan surprises son Guv Totoh at work; Province of Sulu (sulu.gov.ph) · Governor's Profile (archived)

See Nurunisah Abubakar-Tan in the map →

Kerkhar Siraji Tan

Mayor of Jolo 2019-2025 (re-elected 2022)

Not in office

Sources: MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org); Rappler · Political clans easily win reelection in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi; Journal Online · Lakas strength grows (50 Sulu officials join Lakas-CMD)

See Kerkhar Siraji Tan in the map →

Ezzeddin Suod Limpalan “Zed” Tan

Vice mayor of Jolo 2019-2025 (re-elected 2022)

Not in office

Sources: MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org); Rappler · Political clans easily win reelection in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi; Journal Online · Lakas strength grows (50 Sulu officials join Lakas-CMD)

See Ezzeddin Suod Limpalan “Zed” Tan in the map →

How they are related

• Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan and Abdusakur Abubakar “Toto” Tan II — Father → sonBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “In Sulu, Abdusakur Tan and his son Abdusakur Tan II got re-elected as governor and vice-governor, respectively.”; MindaNews · MINDANAO 2025: Still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces — 'John Tracy Cagas (NP), nephew of Douglas'; MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org)
• Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan and Samier Abubakar Tan — Father → sonBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “Abdusakur’s youngest son, Samier, won a second term as representative of the first district.”; Rappler · Political clans easily win reelection in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi; MindaNews · MINDANAO 2025: Still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces — 'John Tracy Cagas (NP), nephew of Douglas'; MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org)
• Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan and Shihla Tan-Hayudini — Father → daughterBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Mindanao 2025: still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces · “Sakur Tan’s daughter, Shihla Tan-Hayudini, was reelected mayor of Maimbung town while another daughter, Shernee Tan-Tambut, outgoing Kusug Tausug party-list Representative, was elected Vice Mayor.”; MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org)
• Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan and Shernee Abubakar Tan-Tambut — Father → daughterBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Mindanao 2025: still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces · “Sakur Tan’s daughter, Shihla Tan-Hayudini, was reelected mayor of Maimbung town while another daughter, Shernee Tan-Tambut, outgoing Kusug Tausug party-list Representative, was elected Vice Mayor.”; Bulatlat · Party-list groups: family enterprise
• Abdusakur Abubakar “Toto” Tan II and Samier Abubakar Tan — BrothersBloodEvidence: Bulatlat · In 2022 poll, party-lists still backdoor for political dynasties · “Her brothers, Samier Tan and Abdusakur Tan II, are incumbent congressman and vice governor, respectively.”; Rappler · 2016 story naming Maimbung Mayor Samier Abubakar Tan as the governor's brother
• Shernee Abubakar Tan-Tambut and Abdusakur Abubakar “Toto” Tan II — SiblingsBloodEvidence: Bulatlat · Party-list groups: family enterprise · “She is the youngest daughter of former Sulu governor Abdusakur M. Tan and sister of incumbent Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan II and Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan.”
• Shernee Abubakar Tan-Tambut and Samier Abubakar Tan — SiblingsBloodEvidence: Bulatlat · Party-list groups: family enterprise · “She is the youngest daughter of former Sulu governor Abdusakur M. Tan and sister of incumbent Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan II and Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan.”; Bulatlat · In 2022 poll, party-lists still backdoor for political dynasties
• Shihla Tan-Hayudini and Aiman Tan — Mother → sonBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “Abdusakur’s eldest daughter Shihla Tan-Hayudini earned a second term as mayor of Maimbung town while her son Aiman was elected as vice mayor.”; Rappler · Political clans easily win reelection in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi; MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org)
• Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan and Nurunisah Abubakar-Tan — SpousesMarriageEvidence: Province of Sulu (sulu.gov.ph) · Governor's Profile (archived) · “Married to Hadja Nurunisah Abubakar – Tan, daughter of former Jolo Mayor Habib Aminkandra N. Abubakar and Hja. Maimona U. Abubakar.”; Politiko Mindanao · VG Nurunisah Tan celebrates birthday, wedding anniversary
• Nurunisah Abubakar-Tan and Abdusakur Abubakar “Toto” Tan II — Mother → sonBloodEvidence: Politiko Mindanao · VG Nurunisah Tan surprises son Guv Totoh at work · “Vice Governor Nurunisah Tan and her son Governor Abdusakur "Totoh" Tan II led the ribbon cutting”
• Nurunisah Abubakar-Tan and Shernee Abubakar Tan-Tambut — Mother → daughterBloodEvidence: Bulatlat · Party-list groups: family enterprise · “Her mother, Hadja Nurunisah Abubakar-Tan, is vice governor of Sulu.”; Bulatlat · In 2022 poll, party-lists still backdoor for political dynasties
• Habib Aminkandra N. Abubakar and Nurunisah Abubakar-Tan — Father → daughterBloodEvidence: Province of Sulu (sulu.gov.ph) · Governor's Profile (archived) · “Married to Hadja Nurunisah Abubakar – Tan, daughter of former Jolo Mayor Habib Aminkandra N. Abubakar and Hja. Maimona U. Abubakar.”
• Habib Aminkandra N. Abubakar and Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan — Father-in-law → son-in-lawMarriageEvidence: Province of Sulu (sulu.gov.ph) · Governor's Profile (archived) · “Married to Hadja Nurunisah Abubakar – Tan, daughter of former Jolo Mayor Habib Aminkandra N. Abubakar and Hja. Maimona U. Abubakar.”
• Hadji Abubakar Tan and Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan — Father → sonBloodEvidence: Province of Sulu (sulu.gov.ph) · Governor's Profile (archived) · “He is the eldest of the sibling of Hadji Abubakar Tan, former Mayor of Maimbung, Province of Sulu and Hadja Satriya Mahail-Tan.”
• Abdusakur Mahail “Sakur” Tan and Kerkhar Siraji Tan — CousinsBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “In Jolo, Sulu’s capital town, the governor’s first cousin, Kerkhar bagged a second term as mayor.”; Rappler · Political clans easily win reelection in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi; MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org)
• Kerkhar Siraji Tan and Ezzeddin Suod Limpalan “Zed” Tan — Father → sonBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “His son, Vice mayor Ezzeddin Tan also got re-elected.”; Rappler · Political clans easily win reelection in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi; MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org)

How this was researched

Researched September 2026 against Comelec 2025 results. Every relationship is quoted from a published source; people who share a surname without a published statement of kinship are left out. 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 2025 results, Sulu · 2025-05-15
2. MindaNews · MINDANAO 2025: Still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces — 'John Tracy Cagas (NP), nephew of Douglas' · 2026-01-05
3. Province of Sulu (sulu.gov.ph) · Governor's Profile (archived) · 2011-10-05
4. Rappler · 2016 story naming Maimbung Mayor Samier Abubakar Tan as the governor's brother · 2016-10-25
5. Rappler 2025 results, Maimbung · 2025-05-15
6. Bulatlat · Party-list groups: family enterprise · 2019-05-07
7. MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu Archipelago (read via web.archive.org) · 2022-05-12
8. Rappler · Political clans easily win reelection in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi · 2022-05-12
9. Journal Online · Lakas strength grows (50 Sulu officials join Lakas-CMD) · 2024-08-02
10. Politiko Mindanao · VG Nurunisah Tan surprises son Guv Totoh at work · 2017-03-18
11. MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “In Sulu, Abdusakur Tan and his son Abdusakur Tan II got re-elected as governor and vice-governor, respectively.” · 2022-05-12
12. MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “Abdusakur’s youngest son, Samier, won a second term as representative of the first district.” · 2022-05-12
13. MindaNews · Mindanao 2025: still all in the family in 23 of 28 provinces · “Sakur Tan’s daughter, Shihla Tan-Hayudini, was reelected mayor of Maimbung town while another daughter, Shernee Tan-Tambut, outgoing Kusug Tausug party-list Representative, was elected Vice Mayor.” · 2026-01-05
14. Bulatlat · In 2022 poll, party-lists still backdoor for political dynasties · “Her brothers, Samier Tan and Abdusakur Tan II, are incumbent congressman and vice governor, respectively.” · 2022-05-24
15. Bulatlat · Party-list groups: family enterprise · “She is the youngest daughter of former Sulu governor Abdusakur M. Tan and sister of incumbent Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan II and Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan.” · 2019-05-07
16. Bulatlat · In 2022 poll, party-lists still backdoor for political dynasties · 2022-05-24
17. MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “Abdusakur’s eldest daughter Shihla Tan-Hayudini earned a second term as mayor of Maimbung town while her son Aiman was elected as vice mayor.” · 2022-05-12
18. Province of Sulu (sulu.gov.ph) · Governor's Profile (archived) · “Married to Hadja Nurunisah Abubakar – Tan, daughter of former Jolo Mayor Habib Aminkandra N. Abubakar and Hja. Maimona U. Abubakar.” · 2011-10-05
19. Politiko Mindanao · VG Nurunisah Tan celebrates birthday, wedding anniversary · 2018-09-03
20. Politiko Mindanao · VG Nurunisah Tan surprises son Guv Totoh at work · “Vice Governor Nurunisah Tan and her son Governor Abdusakur "Totoh" Tan II led the ribbon cutting” · 2017-03-18
21. Bulatlat · Party-list groups: family enterprise · “Her mother, Hadja Nurunisah Abubakar-Tan, is vice governor of Sulu.” · 2019-05-07
22. Province of Sulu (sulu.gov.ph) · Governor's Profile (archived) · “He is the eldest of the sibling of Hadji Abubakar Tan, former Mayor of Maimbung, Province of Sulu and Hadja Satriya Mahail-Tan.” · 2011-10-05
23. MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “In Jolo, Sulu’s capital town, the governor’s first cousin, Kerkhar bagged a second term as mayor.” · 2022-05-12
24. MindaNews · Families capture key posts in Sulu archipelago · “His son, Vice mayor Ezzeddin Tan also got re-elected.” · 2022-05-12

Other families documented in Sulu

• Tulawie (Talipao)Former Talipao mayor Tambrin Tulawie is the father of Nivocadnezar Tulawie, Talipao mayor until 2025 and vice mayor since.

All families and officials in Sulu →