Abeng Remulla on ‘dynasty’ tag: People won’t elect us if they’re not happy with our programs

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Abeng, expected to easily win the gubernatorial race in Cavite, is relatively new to elective government. He spent most of his adult life working for his father, before he was appointed provincial board member by his party in 2023.

How does a young government official, who spent most of his adult life working for his politician-father but is now running for the province’s highest post, justify the existence of political dynasties?

If you were Cavite board member Francisco Gabriel “Abeng” Diaz Remulla, you stick with the familiar line of defense.

“If the people are not happy with our projects and programs and where we’ve taken the province or our district, then they wouldn’t elect us here,” the young Remulla told Rappler’s “Make Cavite Liveable” election town hall in Bacoor on April 12.

Ahh, that overused excuse, which isn’t the first time it was uttered this election season. Senatorial candidates Camille Villar and Erwin Tulfo also insisted that at the end of the day, people have the choice whether or not they would elect dynasts.

They’re not wrong, but it’s an argument that glosses over the mountain of obstacles that politicians with no popular surname have to surmount to unseat the incumbent. Many have neither the machinery nor the connections to major political parties to have a decent shot at elective office.

This is why Abeng is expected to cruise to an easy win, given that his three other opponents in the gubernatorial race are virtual unknowns running as independents.

Abeng, who graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in public administration, is new to elective office, and his possible victory in May would be one of the fastest ascents to capitol by a politician in the country in this election cycle.

The 31-year-old Caviteño was executive assistant to his father Boying Remulla when the latter was governor of Cavite from 2016 to 2019. When Boying was elected district lawmaker from 2019 to 2022, his son became his chief of staff.

The older Remulla won his reelection bid in 2022, but his appointment as justice secretary of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. resulted in a vacant congressional seat. His son, then-provincial board member Ping, won the special election for that district post.

The family’s political vehicle, the National Unity Party, designated Abeng to replace his brother in the provincial board. It’s how Abeng secured his first elective post — via appointment.

Aside from the two, another sibling — Jacinta Maria Remulla — is running for public office, seeking to secure the vice mayoral seat of Naic. No one is running a national campaign; their uncle Jonvic, interior secretary and also a former Cavite governor, joins their father Boying in Marcos’ Cabinet.

The Remullas are not even the biggest dynasty in the country’s most populous province — that title belongs to the Revillas.

Proving themselves

In fairness to the younger Remulla, he is aware of the big shoes he has to fill.

“I have to leave something for Caviteños to see that they’ll know that it came from me. Not just because of my uncle or my father, but things that are directly coming from me,” he said.

“My vision for Cavite is more inclusive for businesses. We want to boost our infrastructures and have Cavite be more attractive for investors to come in so we can lower the price of basic goods, we can have more jobs, we have more income for the province, which will further economic growth,” Remulla added.

Remulla also assured the public that his family has “nothing to hide.”

“When it comes to transparency, I’m willing to open up my books or anything that the public may need,” he declared.

Rappler invited dozens of politicians to join its election town hall in Laguna, but only two showed up, including the younger Remulla, who answered unfiltered questions from the audience.

It’s the bare minimum, but on the promise of transparency, it’s an early indication he has it in him to walk the talk. – Rappler.com