Jonvic Remulla is taking over as the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (File photo by Carla Bauto Deña/MANILA BULLETIN)
Jonvic Remulla is leaving his post as governor of Cavite to take over as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). He will replace Benhur Abalos, who is set to run in the senatorial race in the 2025 midterm elections.
Remulla confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
“Totoo po ang balita. Ngayong 9:00 a.m. ay tatanggapin ko po ang hamon ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na maging tagapamahala sa Kagawaran ng Interior at Lokal na Pamahalaan o DILG (The news is true. Today at 9:00 a.m., I will accept the challenge given by our President Bongbong Marcos, to become the head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government or DILG),” Remulla wrote.
“Ito po ay aking buong pusong tinanggap upang makatulong 'di lamang sa ating lalawigan kundi para na din sa buong Pilipinas. Ang aking adhikain mula noon pa man ay ang ipagtibay ang kakayahan ng lokal na pamahalaan at kapulisan para maging pantay ang karapatan ng lahat at tungo sa mas mabuting kinabukasan (I wholeheartedly accept this role to be of service not only to our province but to the entire Philippines. My goal has always been to strengthen the capabilities of local governments and the police force, to ensure equal rights for all, and to work toward a better future).”
In his post, Remulla looked back at his 29 years of service at the Provincial Government of Cavite, including his 11 and a half years as governor.
He mentioned that Cavite had become the most business-friendly province in the country, with the largest state university system and the highest homeownership rates.
“Ngayon naman po ay kailangan ko ang inyong dasal at suporta para ako po ay magtagumpay sa aking bagong tungkulin. Ang tagumpay ko po ay tagumpay ng bawat Caviteño at ng bawat Pilipino (Now, I need your prayers and support for me to succeed in my new role. My success is the success of every Caviteño and every Filipino),” Remulla said.
“At kung sakali man ako ay bumalik sa paglilingkod sa lalawigan ay sana po tangkilikin ninyo akong muli. Being Governor is the only job I ever wanted. Serving all of you has given me immense joy and fulfillment. An honor of a lifetime. (And if ever I return to serving the province, I hope you will welcome me back once again. Being Governor is the only job I ever wanted. Serving all of you has given me immense joy and fulfillment. It is the honor of a lifetime.)”
Changes in Cavite’s political landscape
On Monday, Oct. 7, Remulla withdrew his candidacy for governor in the 2025 elections. His supposed running mate, Vice Governor Athena Tolentino, also withdrew her vice gubernatorial bid.
In a video posted on Facebook by Dasmariñas Councilor Jeg Gonzales, taken during a gathering of Cavite local government unit officials, Remulla said Tolentino will replace him as Cavite governor for the rest of his term.
Cavite 2nd District Board Member Ram Revilla, Cavite 7th District Board Member Francisco Gabriel “Abeng” Remulla, Vice Governor Athena Toletino, and then Gov. Jonvic Remulla during the Kalinga sa Kalikasan clean-up drive in Tanza on October 3 (Photo from Cavite Provincial Information Office's Facebook page/MANILA BULLETIN)
Remulla also stated that his nephew and Justice Secretary Boying Remulla's son, Cavite 7th District Board Member Francisco Gabriel “Abeng” Remulla, will be running for Cavite governor in the upcoming elections. His running mate will be Cavite 2nd District Board Member Ram Revilla, the son of Senator Bong Revilla.