Matugas family of Surigao del Norte

Since 1992 the Siargao-based Matugas family has held the governorship, the 1st-district House seat, the Surigao City mayoralty and the mayoralties of Dapa, Del Carmen and General Luna.

10 documented relatives · 4 currently in public office · 11 documented relationships · Province of Surigao del Norte

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

Who they are

Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo”

Representative, 1st district (2025-present); former Governor (1992-2001; 2019-2022); former Representative, 1st district (2007-2016)

In office

Sources: Rappler · 2025 results, Surigao del Norte; MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback); MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback)

See Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo” in the map →

Elizabeth Tinio Matugas “Abeth”

Mayor of Dapa (2019-present)

In office

Sources: Rappler · 2025 results, Surigao del Norte; Comelec · 2025 Certified List of Candidates, Region XIII (per-town PDFs SURIGAODELNORTE_<TOWN>.pdf); MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback); PCIJ · In CARAGA, Bag-ao defeats Ecleo, but Plaza dynasty wins 5 seats across 3 provinces

See Elizabeth Tinio Matugas “Abeth” in the map →

Gerry Matugas Abejo

Vice Mayor of Dapa (2025-present); appointed Dapa councilor 2021

In office

Sources: Rappler · 2025 results, Surigao del Norte; Comelec · 2025 Certified List of Candidates, Region XIII (per-town PDFs SURIGAODELNORTE_<TOWN>.pdf); MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback)

See Gerry Matugas Abejo in the map →

Alfredo Matugas Coro II

Mayor of Del Carmen (2025-present); former mayor (2013-2019) and vice mayor (2019-2022)

In office

Sources: Rappler · 2025 results, Surigao del Norte; Comelec · 2025 Certified List of Candidates, Region XIII (per-town PDFs SURIGAODELNORTE_<TOWN>.pdf); MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback)

See Alfredo Matugas Coro II in the map →

Sol Forcadilla Matugas

Former Governor (2010-2019); former Mayor of General Luna (2022-2025)

Not in office

Sources: MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback); MindaNews · Special Report: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: fat and obese dynasties rule (part 3 of 3) (read via Wayback)

See Sol Forcadilla Matugas in the map →

Francisco Jose Forcadilla Matugas II “Bingo”

Former Representative, 1st district (2016-2025); lost 2025 governor race

Not in office

Sources: MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback); MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback); Rappler · 2025 results, Surigao del Norte

See Francisco Jose Forcadilla Matugas II “Bingo” in the map →

Ernesto Tinio Matugas “Nitoy”

Former Mayor of Surigao City (2010-2019); former Vice Mayor (2019-2022); lost 2025 mayor race

Not in office

Sources: MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback); MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback); Comelec · 2025 Certified List of Candidates, Region XIII (per-town PDFs SURIGAODELNORTE_<TOWN>.pdf)

See Ernesto Tinio Matugas “Nitoy” in the map →

Proserfina Matugas-Coro

Former Mayor of Del Carmen (2019-2022)

Not in office

Sources: MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback)

See Proserfina Matugas-Coro in the map →

Emmylou Matugas Abejo “Melot”

Candidate for Mayor of General Luna (2025, lost)

Not in office

Sources: PCIJ · In CARAGA, Bag-ao defeats Ecleo, but Plaza dynasty wins 5 seats across 3 provinces; Comelec · 2025 Certified List of Candidates, Region XIII (per-town PDFs SURIGAODELNORTE_<TOWN>.pdf); Rappler · 2025 results, Surigao del Norte

See Emmylou Matugas Abejo “Melot” in the map →

How they are related

• Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo” and Sol Forcadilla Matugas — SpousesMarriageEvidence: MindaNews · SPECIAL REPORT: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: Fat and obese dynasties rule (3) (read via Wayback) · “Francisco’s wife, Sol, Governor from 2010 to 2019 is now mayor of the world-famous surfing town, General Luna on Siargao Island.”; MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback)
• Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo” and Francisco Jose Forcadilla Matugas II “Bingo” — Father → sonBloodEvidence: PCIJ · Caraga political dynasties (2025 regions report) · “Matugas’ father, Lalo, will replace him in the House of Representatives.”; MindaNews · Special Report: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: fat and obese dynasties rule (part 3 of 3) (read via Wayback); MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback); MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback)
• Sol Forcadilla Matugas and Francisco Jose Forcadilla Matugas II “Bingo” — Mother → sonBloodEvidence: MindaNews · SPECIAL REPORT: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: Fat and obese dynasties rule (3) (read via Wayback) · “while acknowledging Governor Francisco “Lalo” Matugas; his wife Sol, who previously served as governor and representative, and their son, Francisco Jose, the incumbent representative of the 1stdistrict.”; MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback)
• Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo” and Ernesto Tinio Matugas “Nitoy” — BrothersBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback) · “In Surigao City, Mayor Paul Dumlao was reelected by a wide margin, earning 58,300 votes against former mayor Nitoy Matugas, Francisco’s younger brother, who garnered 33,304 votes.”; MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback); MindaNews · 'Underdog' Barbers brothers vow good fight vs rival Matugas family (read via Wayback)
• Ernesto Tinio Matugas “Nitoy” and Ernesto U. Matugas Jr. “Estong” — Father → sonBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Same old foes: Barbers vs Matugas in Surigao Norte polls (read via Wayback) · “Ernesto Matugas Jr. and his father Ernesto, are the incumbent mayor and vice mayor, respectively, seeking reelections.”; MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback)
• Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo” and Ernesto U. Matugas Jr. “Estong” — Uncle → nephewBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback 2021-12-09 capture) · “3. Ernesto U. Matugas, Jr., nephew, Mayor of Surigao City since 2019; seeking reelection in 2022)”
• Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo” and Elizabeth Tinio Matugas “Abeth” — SiblingsBloodEvidence: MindaNews · SPECIAL REPORT: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: Fat and obese dynasties rule (3) (read via Wayback) · “Matugas’ son, Francisco Jose, was reelected and so was his sister Elizabeth as mayor of Dapa town.”; PCIJ · In CARAGA, Bag-ao defeats Ecleo, but Plaza dynasty wins 5 seats across 3 provinces; MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback)
• Elizabeth Tinio Matugas “Abeth” and Gerry Matugas Abejo — Mother → sonBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback 2021-12-09 capture) · “The latest addition to the ruling political clan is Gerry Matugas Abejo, son of the Dapa mayor who was appointed as councilor after Dapa vice-mayor Alfred Matugas Gonzales died.”
• Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo” and Proserfina Matugas-Coro — SiblingsBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback 2021-12-09 capture) · “5. Proserfina Matugas-Coro, sister, Mayor of Del Carmen town”
• Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo” and Alfredo Matugas Coro II — Uncle → nephewBloodEvidence: MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback 2021-12-09 capture) · “6. Alfredo Matugas Coro, nephew, Vice Mayor of Del Carmen town since 2019 (mayor from 2013 to 2019; running for mayor in 2022)”
• Francisco Tinio Matugas “Lalo” and Emmylou Matugas Abejo “Melot” — Uncle → nieceBloodEvidence: PCIJ · Caraga political dynasties (2025 regions report) · “His niece, Melot Matugas-Abejo, lost the mayoral race in General Luna town.”

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, Surigao del Norte · 2025-05
2. MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback) · 2021-11-08
3. MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback) · 2025-05-14
4. MindaNews · Special Report: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: fat and obese dynasties rule (part 3 of 3) (read via Wayback) · 2022-07-15
5. Comelec · 2025 Certified List of Candidates, Region XIII (per-town PDFs SURIGAODELNORTE_<TOWN>.pdf) · 2025
6. MindaNews · Same old foes: Barbers vs Matugas in Surigao Norte polls (read via Wayback) · 2021-10-10
7. PCIJ · In CARAGA, Bag-ao defeats Ecleo, but Plaza dynasty wins 5 seats across 3 provinces · 2025-05-22
8. MindaNews · SPECIAL REPORT: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: Fat and obese dynasties rule (3) (read via Wayback) · “Francisco’s wife, Sol, Governor from 2010 to 2019 is now mayor of the world-famous surfing town, General Luna on Siargao Island.” · 2022-07-13
9. PCIJ · Caraga political dynasties (2025 regions report) · “Matugas’ father, Lalo, will replace him in the House of Representatives.” · 2025-05-22
10. MindaNews · SPECIAL REPORT: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: Fat and obese dynasties rule (3) (read via Wayback) · “while acknowledging Governor Francisco “Lalo” Matugas; his wife Sol, who previously served as governor and representative, and their son, Francisco Jose, the incumbent representative of the 1stdistrict.” · 2022-07-13
11. MindaNews · Gov. Barbers defeats Rep. Matugas in Surigao Norte gubernatorial race (read via Wayback) · “In Surigao City, Mayor Paul Dumlao was reelected by a wide margin, earning 58,300 votes against former mayor Nitoy Matugas, Francisco’s younger brother, who garnered 33,304 votes.” · 2025-05-14
12. MindaNews · 'Underdog' Barbers brothers vow good fight vs rival Matugas family (read via Wayback) · 2013-02-08
13. MindaNews · Same old foes: Barbers vs Matugas in Surigao Norte polls (read via Wayback) · “Ernesto Matugas Jr. and his father Ernesto, are the incumbent mayor and vice mayor, respectively, seeking reelections.” · 2021-10-10
14. MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback 2021-12-09 capture) · “3. Ernesto U. Matugas, Jr., nephew, Mayor of Surigao City since 2019; seeking reelection in 2022)” · 2021-11-08
15. MindaNews · SPECIAL REPORT: Mindanao 2022 to 2025: Fat and obese dynasties rule (3) (read via Wayback) · “Matugas’ son, Francisco Jose, was reelected and so was his sister Elizabeth as mayor of Dapa town.” · 2022-07-13
16. MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback 2021-12-09 capture) · “The latest addition to the ruling political clan is Gerry Matugas Abejo, son of the Dapa mayor who was appointed as councilor after Dapa vice-mayor Alfred Matugas Gonzales died.” · 2021-11-08
17. MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback 2021-12-09 capture) · “5. Proserfina Matugas-Coro, sister, Mayor of Del Carmen town” · 2021-11-08
18. MindaNews · Duterte on Surigao del Norte dynasty: "Puro Matugas na man ni tanan" (read via Wayback 2021-12-09 capture) · “6. Alfredo Matugas Coro, nephew, Vice Mayor of Del Carmen town since 2019 (mayor from 2013 to 2019; running for mayor in 2022)” · 2021-11-08
19. PCIJ · Caraga political dynasties (2025 regions report) · “His niece, Melot Matugas-Abejo, lost the mayoral race in General Luna town.” · 2025-05-22

Other families documented in Surigao del Norte

• BarbersFormer senator Robert Z. Barbers, his mother (a former vice governor), his three sons and a daughter-in-law have held the governorship and the 2nd-district House seat for most years since 1992.
• RomarateTubod has been run by former three-term congressman Guillermo Romarate Jr. and his daughter Richelle, who swapped the mayor and vice mayor seats in 2025.
• Gokiangkee (Claver)In Claver the Gokiangkee brothers fought for the mayoralty through their wives in 2010; Georgia Gokiangkee is mayor again in 2025.
• Esma (Alegria)Brothers Dominador "Yoyoy" Esma Jr. and Rene "Reneboy" Esma hold Alegria's mayor and vice mayor seats and swapped them in 2025.
• Mondano (Mainit)Husband and wife Ramon and Crisanta Mondano swapped Mainit's mayor and vice mayor seats in 2025.

All families and officials in Surigao del Norte →