Revilla country

Manila, Philippines – REVILLA COUNTRY – No doubt that Cavite is now Revilla country, “ruled” by the family political dynasty. It started with Don Ramon Revilla in the ‘80s, serving as two-term senator (12 years).

Following in the footsteps of Don Ramon is son Bong, starting as the province’s vice governor and then governor. Bong is on his second and last term as Senator, serving until 2016.

And then what? The presidency? Heard Bong is seriously eyeing the Palace. But then it’s too early for that. But look, Bong is the president of Lakas, which has governors, mayors, and congressmen all over the country.

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2013 PLANS – Sen. Bong Revilla’s more immediate concern is the 2013 elections, which is sooner that you think, May next year.

His wife Lani Mercado is running for reelection as representative of Bacoor, now a city.

Bong’s son, Joli, is ex-officio provincial board member, being the president (or is it chairman?) of the League of Barangay Chairmen of Cavite. He is reportedly running for vice governor.

His brother Strike Revilla is seeking his third and last term as mayor of Bacoor.

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BACOOR FIRST LADY – She’s no other than Chaye Cabal-Revilla, who’s of great help to her husband in running Bacoor. While Mayor Strike is busy with city hall affairs, Chaye attends to livelihood, tourism, women, health, and youth concerns.

The city recently held the Bacoor Youth Summit, attended by hundreds of young constituents. It was organized by the Unang Ginang ng mga Barangay sa Bacoor under the leadership of Chaye.

Will Chaye succeed Strike as mayor of Bacoor? Well, she comes from a political family in the Visayas.

“No way,” says Chaye, “I’d rather remain in the corporate world.”

Strike agrees.

Mrs. Revilla is the finance officer of the esteemed Manny V. Pangilinan and chairman of PLDT Smart Foundation and Gabay Guro Foundation.

Also in the “planning stage” is having a baby. Strike and Chaye have been married for barely a year or so.

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OUTSIDE CAVITE – The Revilla dynasty extends outside Cavite.

Bong’s younger sister Andeng is married to Rizal governor Jun-Jun Ynares, a medical doctor by profession and a writer by vocation. He writes a column for Manila Bulletin, The View from Rizal.

Andeng is a big asset to her husband, ever helpful and charming.

Bong’s late brother, Ramon Bautista, was mayor of San Lorenzo, Nueva Ecija.

By the way, Bong has a Metro Manila Film Festival entry come December, in tandem with Vic Sotto and with Judy Ann Santos as leading lady.

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