Nina Ynares


Nina Ricci Alcantara Ynares-Chiongbian is a Filipino politician who has served as the 20th governor of Rizal since 2022. A member of the Nationalist People's Coalition, she concurrently serves as the treasurer of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.
Born to a political family in Rizal, Ynares studied business at the De La Salle University. She later served as a board member of the Government Service Insurance System in 2019 and served until her resignation in 2021. In 2022, she ran to succeed her mother, Rebecca, as governor and won, extending their family's three-decade hold on the office. She was reelected to a second term in 2025.
As governor, Ynares's major initiatives have focused on disaster response and the environment.

Early life and career

Nina Ricci Alcantara Ynares was born on October 19, 1970. She is the eldest daughter of Casmiro and Rebecca Ynares, both of whom would serve as governors of Rizal. Her siblings, Casimiro III and Mia, also went on to be active in politics.
Ynares studied business administration and management at the De La Salle University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in 1993 before pursuing legal studies at San Beda University. She became a board member of the Government Service Insurance System in 2019 and served until her resignation in 2021.

Rizal gubernatorial bids

2022

Ynares's father, Casimiro, initially planned to seek a return to the governorship, having filed his candidacy on October 1, 2021. However, he would later withdraw, with Ynares substituting for him. During the campaign, she endorsed the presidential bid of Bongbong Marcos.

2025

Ynares sought reelection in 2025 and only faced token opposition. With her vice governor, Reynaldo San Juan Jr., term-limited, she chose Josefina Gatlabayan as her running mate for the election. During the campaign, she endorsed the senatorial bids of Makati Mayor Abigail Binay and Senator Pia Cayetano. She went on to win a second term in the May 12 election with 83.48% of the vote. Her reelection was proclaimed the following day.

Governor of Rizal (since 2022)

Ynares began her term as governor on June 30, 2022. She previously took her oath of office on June 25 at a ceremony at the Ynares Event Center. On August 15, she was named as treasurer of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.

Disaster response

Following severe rain enhanced by Typhoon Carina in July 2024, Ynares reported that four towns were "badly hit", prompting President Bongbong Marcos to order several government agencies to assist in relief operations.
In July 2025, following widespread flooding brought by monsoon-enhanced rain, Ynares declared a state of calamity in the province and urged the national government to issue a moratorium on the quarrying operations in the province.

Environment

In February 2024, Ynares and Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga signed a memorandum of agreement for a sustainable water security project.

Freedom of Information

In May 2024, local journalists criticized the Ynares administration for having an ineffective public information office, which they say contributed to the widening of the information gap on local issues.

Personal life

Ynares is married to James Chiongbian II, member of a political dynasty in Sarangani, with whom she has two children.