Juanito Victor Remulla

The Honorable Juanito Victor C. Remulla, Jr.[1]
Governor of Cavite
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2010
Vice Governor	Recto M. Cantimbuhan (2010-2013) Jolo Revilla (2013-present)
Preceded by	Ayong Maliksi
Vice Governor of Cavite
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007
Preceded by	Cesar P. Unas
Succeeded by	Dencito P. Campaña
Board Member, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) of Cavite
In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998
Personal details
Born	Juanito Victor Catibayan Remulla, Jr. October 24, 1967 (age 47) Manila, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	United Nationalist Alliance (2014-present) Nacionalista Party (2005-2014) Partido Magdalo
Other political affiliations	Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino
Spouse(s)	Agnes Tirona
Relations	Gilbert Remulla and Jesus Crispin Remulla (brothers)
Residence	Imus, Cavite
Alma mater	University of the Philippines-Diliman
Profession	Politician
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Juanito Victor Catibayan Remulla, Jr. (born October 24, 1967), commonly known by his nickname Jonvic Remulla, is a Filipino politician who is the Governor of Cavite. He is a son of former Governor Juanito Remulla and sibling of former Congressman Gilbert Remulla and Congressman Jesus Crispin Remulla.

Remulla entered politics in 1995, when he won as board member of the Second District of Cavite. Three years later, in 1998, he was elected as vice governor, a post he held for three terms and in 2010, he became governor.

Early life and education

Remulla was born on October 24, 1967 to Juanito "Johnny" Remulla, a long-time Cavite governor, and Ditas Catibayan. He took up his secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila University. In college, he studied at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he became a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity and earned a degree in Philosophy.

Political career

Board Member and Vice Governor (1995-2007)

In 1995, Remulla ran as board member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) in the 2nd district of Cavite and won. He ran for vice-governor in 1998 and was elected. Three years later, in 2001, he sought reelection with 2nd District Representative Ayong Maliksi, a protégé of his family, as his running mate and their tandem won. The two would win again in the 2004 elections.

Following the election, he broke ties with Maliksi when he filed an administrative case against Maliksi before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with an anomalous purchase of ₱7.5 million (about US$134,000) worth of rice in 2004. As a result, Maliksi was issued a six-month preventive suspension order on August 15, 2005 and he assumed office as Acting Governor.^[2] Maliksi filed a petition and his suspension was lifted on October 24, 2005, when he was granted a preliminary injunction. Remulla would become Acting Governor again on April 4, 2006, when the Court of Appeals lifted Maliksi's preliminary injunction.^[3] Nine months later, on January 10, 2007, Remulla became Acting Governor for the third time when the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered the six-month preventive suspension order again on Maliksi.^[4] In a surprise announcement the same month, he said he would not run as governor against Maliksi in the May 2007 elections.^[5] Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez lifted the suspension order a month later for lack of merit.^[6]

Governor (2010-Present)

Remulla made a comeback in politics in 2010, when he ran for governor. In the race, he defeated Vice Governor Dencito “Osboy” Campaña, who had the backing of Maliksi.

Under his tenure, Cavite was cited as one of the top performing provinces in the Philippines by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Also, it is the first and only province to be ISO 9001:2008 certified.^[7]

In the 2013 elections, Remulla sought a second term as governor, with actor and Cavite Liga ng mga Barangay (League of Barangays) President Jolo Revilla, son of Senator Bong Revilla and 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado, as his running mate. Maliksi challenged him in the race. During the campaign, Remulla accused Maliksi of being involved in the anomalous LRT extension project, where ₱500 million (about US$11.162 million) was allotted for 2,000 housing units, road, lighting and water projects, relocation sites and payments for the residents directly affected by the development. Remulla even threatened to resign if his allegations are proven wrong. And he said Mas mabuti ang mamigay, wag lang magnakaw (It's better to give, not to steal)^[8] Despite most surveys showing Maliksi would beat him by a wide margin, Remulla went on to win the election by more than 50,000 votes. Jolo Revilla also won, beating Maliksi’s running mate, Ronald Jay Lacson, son of Senator Panfilo Lacson.

He was named as one of People Asia Magazine's "People of the Year" in 2013, along with 2013 Miss World Megan Young.

In 2014, Remulla was assigned by Vice President Jejomar Binay as his new spokesperson.^[9]

Personal life

Remulla is married to Agnes Tirona, a physician, with whom he has five children, namely: Katherine Isabel, Rosanne Margarita, Andrea Victoria, Stella Roberta and Santiago Juanito.

References