The last decade has seen Senator Ralph Recto lord it over as THE political kingpin of Batangas. He owes to the deep political roots that started their family’s dominance in Batangas politics.
The “Recto political heritage” started with the late nationalist Claro Mayo Recto who first became a representative of Batangas’ second district (1919-1925) and then senator for three terms (1931-1936, 1945-1946, 1955-1960).
Sen. Ralph Recto, who was a three-term congressman of the fourth district of Batangas (1992-2001), belongs to this political family that has also produced his father Rafael Recto, an Assemblyman in the Regular Batasang Pambansa (1984–1986), his brother, former Vice-Governor Richard “Ricky” Recto and third-term Governor Vilma Santos-Recto. THE Vilma Santos-Recto was also mayor of Lipa City (1998-2007) before she became governor.
Now in the few months before the October 2015 deadline of filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2016 elections, the Recto family has to contend with some old names in Batangueño politics, and an upstart family from his hometown bailiwick in the province’s fourth district.
Gubernatorial Wannabes
Former governor and second district Rep. Hermilando Mandanas is reported to have decided to run for the capitol now that Gov. Santos-Recto is to end her term in 2016. Mandanas can count on his former senior staff, now Congressman Raneo Abu (2nd District) and a slew of town mayors in two other districts to help his candidacy.
Another gubernatorial candidate is third term Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza (4th District) of the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC). Though he may have the backing of the Cojuangcos, Mendoza is not allied with Mayor Meynard Sabili of vote rich Lipa City – the hometown bailiwick of the Recto and Leviste families.
Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP) Party-list Representative Nicanor Briones, also on his third term, also seeks to become Batangas top local honcho next year. His tarpaulins with the GOBatangas, GOBriones slogan are scattered across the province’s major roads and highways.
Not to be outdone, Batangas vice-governor Mark Leviste, still aching and waiting for a Recto endorsement, wants to succeed Gov. Vilma.
But as of this date, no plans for Vilma for now, no endorsement from Ralph for Leviste or anyone for governor.
As it is, Senator Ralph would need his finest balisong to delineate local politics but cutting and cutting cleanly for 2016. #
