Jonvic Remulla
{{short description|Filipino politician}}
{{for|his father|Juanito Remulla Sr.}}
{{Philippine name|Catibayan|Remulla}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jonvic Remulla
| image = Governor Jonvic Remulla (cropped).png
| imagesize =
| smallimage =
| caption = Remulla in 2023
| office = 42nd Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
| term_start = October 8, 2024
| term_end =
| president = Bongbong Marcos
| preceded = Benhur Abalos
| office2 = 31st Governor of Cavite
| term_start2 = June 30, 2019
| term_end2 = October 8, 2024
| vicegovernor2 = Jolo Revilla (2019–2022)
Athena Tolentino (2022–2024)
| successor2 = Athena Tolentino
| term_start3 = June 30, 2010
| term_end3 = June 30, 2016
| vicegovernor3 = Recto Cantimbuhan (2010–2013)
Jolo Revilla (2013–2016)
| predecessor2 = Jesus Crispin Remulla
| predecessor3 = Ayong Maliksi
| successor3 = Jesus Crispin Remulla
| office4 = Vice Governor of Cavite
| term_start4 = February 6, 1998
| term_end4 = June 30, 2007
| governor4 = Bong Revilla (1998–2001)
Ayong Maliksi (2001–2007)
| predecessor4 = Bong Revilla
| successor4 = Dencito Campaña
| office5 = Member of the Cavite Provincial Board from the 2nd district
| term_start5 = June 30, 1995
| term_end5 = February 6, 1998
| birth_name = Juanito Victor Catibayan Remulla Jr.url=http://www.facebook.com/jonvicremullajr
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|10|23}}
| birth_place = Manila, Philippines{{fact|date=May 2024}}
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = Filipino
| spouse = Agnes Tirona
| party = NUP (since 2021)
Partido Magdalo (local)
| otherparty = UNA (2014–2016)
Lakas–CMD (2012–2014)
Nacionalista (2009–2012; 2016–2021)
LDP (before 2005)
| parents = Juanito Remulla Sr. (father)
Ditas Catibayan (mother)
| relatives = Jesus Crispin Remulla (brother)
Gilbert Remulla (brother)
| children = 6
| residence = Imus, Cavite
Silang, Cavite{{cite news|url=https://southluzon.politics.com.ph/2020/05/04/no-special-treatment-jonvic-remulla-sends-cops-to-posh-village-to-enforce-ecq/|title=No special treatment: Jonvic Remulla sends cops to posh village to enforce ECQ|date=May 4, 2020|website=Politiko|accessdate=April 3, 2021}}
| alma_mater = University of the Philippines Diliman (AB)
| occupation =
| profession = Public servant, politician
}}
Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Catibayan Remulla Jr. ({{IPA|tl|ˈdʒɔnbɪk rɛˈmuljɐ|}}; born October 23, 1967) is a Filipino politician who had served as the 42nd secretary of the interior and local government since 2024. He previously served as the 31st governor of Cavite from 2019 to 2024 and from 2010 to 2016, and had previously served as vice governor and as a member of the Cavite Provincial Board. He is a son of former governor Juanito Remulla Sr. and sibling of fellow politicians Gilbert and 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. He became a governor again when he defeated former governor Ayong Maliksi in the 2019 elections.
Early life and education
Remulla was born on October 23, 1967, to Juanito "Johnny" Remulla, who was then a member of the Cavite Provincial Board and later governor, and Ditas Catibayan. He is a member of the Remulla family, a known political dynasty in Cavite led by his father, who was later elected Cavite governor in 1979. He took up his elementary education at De La Salle University before the school moved to Greenhills, then took secondary education at Ateneo de Manila University.{{Cite web|title=PROFILE OF JONVIC REMULLA|url= https://lpp.gov.ph/profile-of-gov-juanito-victor-jonvic-catibayan-remulla/}} In college, he studied at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he became a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity in direct imitation of his father.{{Cite news|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/97949/upsilon-alumni-hold-global-reunion|title=Upsilon alumni hold global reunion|last=INQUIRER.net|access-date=2017-09-02|language=en}} He graduated with a degree in philosophy.
Board member and Vice Governor (1995–2007)
In 1995, Remulla ran for board member of Cavite in the second district 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 {{Philippine peso|7.5 million|link=yes}} (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.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2518&dat=20050817&id=XrljAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DSgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1509,2421674 "Maliksi suspended for six months by Ombudsman"]. Google News Archive. 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.[https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-144063106 "Maliksi suspended anew as CA orders lifting injunction; Remulla assumes post as acting Cavite governor"]{{dead link|date=July 2021}} 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.[http://www.philstar.com/nation/379200/dilg-implements-suspension-order-vs-maliksi "DILG implements suspension order vs Maliksi"]. The Philippine Star. In a surprise announcement the same month, he said he would not run as governor against Maliksi in the May 2007 elections.[https://archive.today/20130703060824/http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/eleksyon2007/view.php?article=20070122-44929 "Cavite pols forge unity ticket"]. Inquirer Online. Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez lifted the suspension order a month later for lack of merit.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2518&dat=20070210&id=N01aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KSgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2106,3579990 "Ombudsman dismisses charges; DILG reinstates Maliksi as Cavite governor"]. Google News Archive.
Governor (2010–2016, 2019–2024)
File:UNA, Partido Magdalo Sign Coalition Agreement.JPG
Remulla made a comeback in politics in 2010, when he ran for governor. In the race, he defeated Vice Governor Dencito 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 the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Also, it is the first and only province to be ISO 9001:2008 certified.[http://www.cavite.gov.ph/home/index.php/latest-news-articles/147-continuous-action-for-iso "Continuous Action for ISO"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040300/http://www.cavite.gov.ph/home/index.php/latest-news-articles/147-continuous-action-for-iso |date=2016-03-04 }}. Cavite Provincial Government.
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 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 ({{translation|It's better to give, not to steal}})[http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/top-stories/45317-remulla-to-resign-if-proven-wrong "Remulla to resign if proven wrong"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305075151/http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/top-stories/45317-remulla-to-resign-if-proven-wrong |date=2013-03-05 }}. Journal Online. 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 Megan Young, who won Miss World 2013.
In 2014, Remulla was assigned by Vice President Jejomar Binay as his new spokesperson.{{cite news|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/67391-jonvic-remulla-binay-spokesman|title=Jonvic Remulla now Binay spokesman, to leave NP|website=Rappler|first=Ayee|last=Macaraig|date=August 27, 2014}} Remulla was supposed to run for his last term as governor in 2016 but he decided to quit as Binay asked him to become secretary of the interior and local government should Binay win the presidency. His brother, Jesus Crispin, ran in his stead and later won. However, as of April 29, 2016, Remulla was confirmed to have left Binay's camp in support of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte.{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/782344/remullas-drop-binay-vow-big-win-for-duterte-in-cavite\|title=Remullas dump Binay for Duterte|first=Maricar|last=Cinco|date=April 29, 2016|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}
Remulla successfully sought a comeback as governor in 2019, defeating former Governor Maliksi for the second time. He sought re-election 2022 and won, this time with Tagaytay councilor Athena Tolentino, the daughter of 8th district representative Abraham Tolentino, as his running mate. He also supported the successful campaign of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte.{{Cite web|last=Remitio|first=Rex|title=Cavite governor Jonvic Remulla endorses Bongbong-Sara tandem|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/2/12/Jonvic-Remulla-endorses-Bongbong-Sara-tandem.html|date=February 12, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-date=March 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308164538/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/2/12/Jonvic-Remulla-endorses-Bongbong-Sara-tandem.html|url-status=dead}}
Secretary of Interior and Local Government (2024–present)
File:President Bongbong Marcos during a Situation Briefing on the Effects of Tropical Storm Kristine on October 23, 2024.webm during a situation briefing with his Cabinet on the effects of Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine) on October 23, 2024]]
Remulla initially intended to run for his third and last consecutive term as the Governor of Cavite in 2025, with incumbent Vice Governor Athena Tolentino as his running mate. However, he and Tolentino withdrew their certificates of candidacy on October 7, 2024, six days after filing those, and he was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as the secretary of the interior and local government,{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/10/08/2390907/cavite-governor-remulla-named-dilg-chief|title=Cavite governor Remulla named DILG chief|first=Daphne|last=Galvez|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=October 8, 2024|work=The Philippine Star}} succeeding senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos. He eventually vacated the post of the Governor of Cavite, of which Vice Governor Tolentino would later assume the governorship to finish out his remaining gubernatorial term from October 8, 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/jonvic-remulla-athena-tolentino-drop-reelection-bids-governor-vice-cavite-2025/|title=Jonvic Remulla, Athena Tolentino drop reelection bids as Cavite gov, VG|first=Dennis|last=Abrina|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=October 7, 2024|work=Rappler}} He was replaced in the gubernatorial race by his nephew, 7th district Board Member Francisco Gabriel "Abeng" Remulla.{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/jonvic-remulla-nephew-abeng-runs-cavite-governor-2025/|title=As Jonvic Remulla exits race, nephew runs for Cavite governor|website=Rappler|date=October 8, 2024|accessdate=December 8, 2024}}
Remulla took oath as secretary on October 8, 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/922878/jonvic-remulla-dilg-secretary-boyong-remulla/story/|title=Jonvic Remulla to take oath as DILG secretary, says Justice chief|first1=Joahna Lei|last1=Casilao|first2=Anna Felicia|last2=Bajo|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=October 7, 2024|work=GMA Integrated News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/922922/jonvic-remulla-oath-dilg/story/|title=Jonvic Remulla takes oath as DILG chief|first=Anna Felicia|last=Bajo|date=October 8, 2024|accessdate=October 8, 2024|work=GMA Integrated News}}
Personal life
Remulla is married to Agnes Tirona, a physician, with whom he has five children.
Remulla is the team manager of the UP Fighting Maroons (Men's Senior Basketball Team) and was instrumental in recruiting and building the team which eventually ended a 32-year finals drought in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). In game 1 of the 2018 Season 81 basketball finals against top-ranked Ateneo Blue Eagles, Remulla was handed a technical foul in violation of the "cooling-off" period when he attempted to approach the game officials prior to the start of the 3rd quarter.{{Cite web|last=Medenilla|first=Samuel P.|title=Disqualification case filed against Jonvic Remulla|website=BusinessMirror |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/05/09/disqualification-case-filed-against-jonvic-remulla/|date=May 9, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://southluzon.politiko.com.ph/2018/12/03/sorry-na-former-cavite-gov-and-up-fighting-maroons-team-manager-jonvic-remulla-apologizes-for-costing-the-team-one-point/social-snitch/|title=Sorry na! Former Cavite Gov. and UP Fighting Maroons team manager Jonvic Remulla apologizes for costing the team one point|date=December 3, 2018|accessdate=October 7, 2018|website=Politiko South Luzon}}
Remulla is also a fan of South Korean entertainment, noting how Korean dramas and K-pop inspire Filipinos and strengthen cultural ties, as Koreans are also the top tourists in the Philippines. He believes in learning from Korea's achievements, seeing their success as a model Filipinos can aspire to.{{Cite web|last=Deña|first=Carla Bauto|title=Gov. Remulla defends K-dramas; say they give Pinoys hope, inspiration during pandemic|website=Manila Bulletin |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/19/gov-remulla-defends-k-dramas-say-they-give-pinoys-hope-inspiration-during-pandemic/|date=October 19, 2022}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Bong Revilla}}
{{s-ttl|title=Vice Governor of Cavite|years=1999–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=Dencito Campaña}}
{{s-bef|before=Ayong Maliksi}}
{{s-ttl|title=Governor of Cavite|years=2010–2016}}
{{s-aft|after=Jesus Crispin Remulla}}
{{s-bef|before=Jesus Crispin Remulla}}
{{s-ttl|title=Governor of Cavite|years=2019–2024}}
{{s-aft|after=Athena Tolentino}}
{{s-bef|before=Benhur Abalos}}
{{s-ttl|title=Secretary of the Interior and Local Government|years=2024–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-new|first}}
{{s-ttl|title=Nacionalista nominee for Governor of Cavite|years=2010, 2019}}
{{s-non|reason=Most recent}}
{{s-new|first}}
{{s-ttl|title=NUP nominee for Governor of Cavite|years=2022}}
{{s-aft|after=Abeng Remulla}}
{{s-prec}}
{{s-bef|before=Raphael P.M. Lotilla|as=Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources}}
{{s-ttl|title=Order of Precedence of the Philippines
{{small|as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government}}}}
{{s-aft|after=Christina Frasco|as=Secretary of Tourism}}
{{s-end}}
{{Bongbong Marcos Cabinet}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Remulla, Juanito Victor C.}}
Category:National Unity Party (Philippines) politicians
Category:Members of the Cavite Provincial Board
Category:University of the Philippines Diliman alumni
Category:Secretaries of the interior and local government of the Philippines