Revillas, Remullas, Maliksi agree to unite

After the successful reconciliation talks between the Remulla and Revilla clans some two weeks ago, administration Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. announced yesterday what he claimed to be an end to the decades-long political turmoil in Cavite after Gov. Ayong Maliksi agreed to unite with them.

Revilla said the unprecedented truce among the three political factions came over the weekend following the unity talks he had brokered with Maliksi and the Remullas.

He expressed satisfaction that the exploratory talks resulted in a refreshing development "because all three stalwarts have reached an accord in the political make-up of the upcoming local election by a possible formation of an unopposed unity ticket."

Maliksi, who is on his second term, should be given the chance to carry on with his programs for Cavite, Revilla said.

"The equity of the incumbent (was) given weight (in) the talks. All three political families were in agreement on that for the purpose of continuity," he added.

Cavite leaders heaved a sigh of relief over the "unification agreement" since they feared the possibility of a three-cornered gubernatorial race.

To pave the way for Maliksi’s reelection, Revilla said both his camp and the Remullas will no longer field any candidates in the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial races.

He added that the three camps further agreed that as much as possible, they will also not field any contenders to oppose the candidates of each other’s group in the local races.

"It was a very tough process to undergo since admittedly, all three of us have political stakes in the province. But as I have said before, a lot has been wasted on politicking. Why waste time and opportunities in personal and political wranglings when in the summation of all things, we all but want to steer the wheel of progress for Cavite and its people?" Revilla said.

In a statement, Revilla said they agreed to "finally join hands and work together to push a common agenda and platform for the development and progress of the province."

"All the warring political factions in Cavite all aim for the province’s growth and this being so, there is no sense to waste each other’s time and efforts on political bickering," he added.

Former Carmona, Cavite mayor Roy Loyola said the unity agreement is so far the best to have happened in the province, given its political make-up.

"This development augurs well for the entire province and its people. It is a convergence of dreams for Cavite from among its best leaders," said Loyola, provincial chairman of the pro-administration Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi).

Earlier, Revilla and Maliksi got embroiled in an exchange of harsh words when the governor accused the senator of having a hand in his suspension, supposedly because he (Maliksi) rejected tapping Lani Mercado, Revilla’s wife, as his vice gubernatorial running mate.