Matthew Manotoc

Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc (born December 9, 1988) is a Filipino politician and athlete who is currently serving as the vice governor of Ilocos Norte since 2025, he previously served as the governor of the same province from 2019 to 2025. He was a senior provincial board member from the second legislative district of Ilocos Norte from 2016 to 2019.

He is a member of the Marcos political family. His maternal grandfather, Ferdinand Marcos, was a former president of the Philippines, His maternal grandmother Imelda Marcos, was a first Lady of the Philippines. His mother, Imee Marcos, currently serves as a senator, while his maternal uncle, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, is the sitting president.

Early life and education

Manotoc was born on December 9, 1988, In 2006, he moved to the United States to study psychology at Claremont McKenna College. He later attended a short course in sports management at the University of California-Los Angeles in 2014 and a short course in management development at the Asian Institute of Management in 2017. In 2018, he took a short course in Harnessing Organizational and Individual Capacities for Excellent Services in Local Government Units at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. In 2021, he pursued an executive course in Agricultural Development at Mariano Marcos State University in Batac. In 2023, he attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business at the National University of Singapore.

Political career Ilocos Norte Provincial Board (2016–2019) Manotoc ran as a provincial board member representing the 2nd legislative district of Ilocos Norte in the 2016 Philippine local elections. Manotoc won the election and was declared to be the Senior Provincial Board Member of Ilocos Norte. His mother Imee Marcos, was governor of Ilocos Norte during his campaign and was running uncontested for her third and final term in the 2016 gubernatorial elections. From 2016 to 2019, Manotoc was also chairman of the National Movement of Young Legislators – Ilocos Norte Chapter.

Governor of Ilocos Norte (2019–2025)

In October 2018, Manotoc filed his Certificate of Candidacy to run for vice governor of Ilocos Norte in the 2019 Philippine gubernatorial elections as the running mate of his grandmother, Imelda Marcos. a mental health center and hotline that serves locals dealing with isolation, pressure, and other challenges. The center has provided services to various groups, including adolescents, frontliners, returning residents, and COVID-19 patients in isolation. Additionally, he launched the "Search for the Best Mental Health Practices" initiative, which emphasizes a community-based approach to mental health, as well as offering art therapy sessions, mental health break camps, and psychosocial support training.

The provincial government also implemented several agricultural projects, such as farm-to-market roads, small farm reservoirs, water impounding projects, multi-purpose drying pavements, tractors, combine harvesters, tobacco curing barns, and a focus on shifting to high-value crops, with investments worth billions of pesos.

During the African Swine Fever outbreak, Manotoc ordered the provincial government to take immediate action to trace contacts and prevent the spread of infections. He initiated the distribution of relief packs to those affected, provided sprayers and disinfectants, facilitated indemnifications or payouts, allocated funds for uninsured individuals, and supported alternative livelihoods to protect the livestock sector.

Personal life Manotoc is the grandchild of President Ferdinand Marcos and former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

His uncle, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., is the current President of the Philippines since 2022.

Manotoc is both a golfer and a basketball player. He was a basketball coach at the International School Manila and a co-founder of Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management.

In 2019, it was reported that he was dating Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell. In 2025, they became engaged. On January 9, 2026, Manotoc is married to Jamie Herrell at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Electoral history