Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday he would not seek a national position in next year's elections, and instead called on whoever will win the presidential race to be "very specific" about plans to lift the country from the pandemic.
While governor to a province that's bigger than Metro Manila by population, the 53-year-old Remulla said his current post is "the only job I ever wanted." That's been the goal since his college days at UP Diliman, he told Summit Media journalists.
"I'm staying. I'm very happy in Cavite, okay na ako dito," Remulla said in a video call.
Remulla's father, Juanito Remulla Sr., was the longest serving governor of Cavite, while his brothers, Gilbert and Jesus Crispin, were elected representatives of the province in Congress.
Despite being known on a national scale over his political lineage and witty social media posts, Remulla said he considers himself a "local guy" who would rather do the actual work on the ground.
He also doesn't plan to run for Congress as his "outspoken" attitude might get him in trouble with other representatives.
"I like being with people. Dito [sa Cavite], I can say what I want and I can hear different opinions and not fight about it," he said.
Remulla said the country's next leaders should have a clear plan to address the issues close to the people, especially the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"He has to have a plan of recovery, not a plan to end the pandemic but a plan for recovery. His only agenda should be to lift the country and to be very specific on how he's gonna do that," Remulla said.
"I think the next president should define himself very early and to set himself apart on what he really wants to do and be very specific about it," he added.
Prior to serving as governor, Remulla was a member of the second district of Cavite's Sangguniang Panlalawigan from 1995 to 1998 and was elected vice governor from 1998 to 2007.
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