Leni Robredo’s ex-campaign manager challenges Villafuerte dynasty in Camarines Sur

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NAGA CITY, Philippines – Can a neophyte win against the well-entrenched Villafuerte dynasty in Camarines Sur (CamSur)?

Gubernatorial candidate Ronald “Bong” Rodriguez thinks so, confidently saying, “The short answer is definitely yes.”

Rodriguez, the former regional campaign manager of Leni Robredo in the 2022 presidential elections and the founding chairperson of Siklab Lingkod Bicol, formerly Solid Leni Bicol, is currently challenging the gubernatorial comeback of Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte, the incumbent CamSur 2nd District representative.

“Hindi ako natatakot na mayroon akong kakaharapin na kumbaga, mahirap tibagin (I’m not afraid that I have something to face that is, you know, hard to break),” he added in an interview on October 5, 2024 amid the well-funded fake news attacks against their team. 

But despite the optimism, it is undeniably a hard game for Rodriguez considering the political machinery, wealth, and resources of the dynasty that he is clashing with. 

“LRay Villafuerte is a tough opponent, especially given the fact that he had already polished his machinery with the help of his late father and other political affiliations,” Champagne Carpio, a political science professor from Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU), said. The family patriarch, Luis Villafuerte Sr., served for decades as governor and congressman of Camarines Sur, and died in September 2021.

Acknowledging the reality that voters tend to go with the familiar instead of “new” candidates, Carpio said that Rodriguez’s chances of winning right now are relatively slim. The political analyst also gave hope by adding, “…but not zero.” Carpio said that there is a chance, but Rodriguez needs to step up his game a little more.

The local campaign also just started last Friday, and there’s still time to convince voters to go for the neophyte.

CHALLENGER. Bong Rodriguez, former regional campaign manager of Leni Robredo in Bicol in the 2022 elections, is running for governor of Camarines Sur in the 2025 midterm polls. Courtesy of Bong Rodriguez Facebook

David vs. Goliath?

Rodriguez had to assert confidence at least through his statements, and it was understandable. After all, he is racing against the powerful politicians who have always dominated the elections in CamSur.  

LRay served three consecutive terms as CamSur governor from 2004 to 2013. This was after his father served as governor from 1986 to 1992 and from 1995 to 2004. 

After LRay’s gubernatorial stint, he served again as congressman for three terms from 2016 to 2025. The dynasty did not allow the gubernatorial seat to be occupied by a non-Villafuerte, so they pitted Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte, the son of LRay, against his grandfather in the 2013 elections. 

Migz won and served as governor for three consecutive terms from 2013 to 2022. When he reached his term limit, Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte, another younger son of LRay, ran and won the gubernatorial race in 2022 against the late Ronaldo “Nonoy” Andaya, the budget secretary under former president Gloria Arroyo’s administration. 

Although Rodriguez has not held any elective post, he has already served in public office. This includes a stint in the Foreign Service Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Presidential Management Staff, and the Office of the President for over 13 years. He also took pride in being able to write speeches for former president Fidel Ramos. 

From working behind the curtains of public service as staff of government offices and founder of non-government groups, Rodriguez now finds himself on the political spotlight.

CONCERNS. Camarines Sur gubernatorial candidate Bong Rodriguez meets with rural residents in Bicol in February 2025. Courtesy of Bong Rodriguez Facebook

What holds Villafuertes in power?

After the recent tantrums of LRay against The Spark student mock polls controversy, where the incumbent lost to Rodriguez by 74 votes, the latter received support while the former faced backlash from various youth groups and student publications. 

Despite this, Carpio reiterated that it does not significantly affect LRay since he has already consolidated his machinery. “He has a lot of enablers not only in the government but also on social media,” she added. 

While there may be politically-aware individuals on social media who will definitely vote for Rodriguez to avoid the dynastic regime, Carpio said that, “just like what happened in the last presidential elections, these people are still outnumbered.”

Aside from resources and connections, the political science professor also mentioned CamSur residents’ debt of gratitude as one of the reasons why the Villafuertes have been able to maintain their influence over the province. 

The province’s “Ka Fuerte Scholarship Program” is named after their clan. It previously received criticisms over reports that their scholars were urged to vote for LRay in an online survey. This was immediately denied by the scholarship program. 

The Villafuertes spent at least P100 million worth of scholarship and cash assistance in a one-time distribution. They credited it to themselves, mentioning their full names in every post, which tends to make CamSur beneficiaries believe that they owe everything to the dynasty. 

Carpio reminded the voters that, “it is only his [LRay] duty and responsibility to make sure that people will get access to free education, healthcare, and immediate action during calamities.”

What should the opposition do? 

A beginner defeating a dynastic politician is not impossible. Robredo did it before when she won against Nelly Villafuerte, the mother of LRay, as CamSur 3rd District representative in 2013. The district was considered the bailiwick of the Villafuertes. 

While the sympathy vote contributed to Robredo’s victory in 2013 after the death of her husband, Jesse Robredo, experts said back then that the Robredos’ good record, the perception that the candidate herself is good enough, and having enough machinery also played a major role. 

This was also what Carpio suggested to the opposition team. She said that Rodriguez has to be more assertive.

“If LRay is aggressive, I think it is also right for Rodriguez to be aggressive in the right way,” Carpio said. “Because oftentimes, politicians tend to be silent because they fear that instead of winning the electorates’ hearts, they will lose.”

Rodriguez also needs to solidify his machinery and strengthen his platforms by offering concrete projects. Carpio further explained that promising accountability, transparency, and the rule of law is not enough because it is already given. 

More importantly, the opposition candidate has to personally talk to and build rapport with voters in order to strengthen his influence. 

“Exert much effort to form connections with those people who are die-hard supporters already and convince them that change is something that is needed, that how can they know something is bad if they haven’t experienced it?” Carpio said. – Rappler.com