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Vilma Santos, sons Luis Manzano and Ryan Recto, file COCs in Batangas

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ABS-CBN News

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — Vilma Santos-Recto and her sons Luis Manzano and Ryan Recto filed their respective certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm elections on Thursday.Santos-Recto is running for governor in Batangas, while Manzano is joining politics as a candidate for vice governor. Ryan, meanwhile, is running for representative in Batangas&#x27;s 6th district.Santos-Recto and her two sons filed their COCs at the Comelec office in Batangas Provincial Capitol.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/7/3/luis-manzano-opens-up-about-new-show-politics-1027" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luis Manzano opens up about new show, politics</a></div>After the filing, Santos-Recto and her sons graced a short program organized outside the Comelec office and delivered a short speech to address their supporters and partymates who showed up for their filing.Together with her ticket under “One Batangas”, Vilma and her sons answered some questions, majority centered on what she plans to do and what her sons will bring to the table.Vilma said, “Hindi ko akalain na this will happen. Maybe it was meant to be. For 24 years that I have served the Batangueños na ibinigay po sa akin ang tiwala, at para po magkaroon po ako ng 24 years sa tiwalang binigay po ninyo, na kahit papaano, I really did my best. At kung tumagal man po ako ng 24 years, I must have done something good for the Batangueños and for the province of Batangas.”She describes her return to governorship as a “tour of duty.”“Kung kami po ay papalarin, nandirito po kami at handang magbigay ng serbisyo. Lumaki ang dalawang ito, na pareho na po kaming nagsisilbi ni Secretary Ralph Recto.”She then shared an anecdote when she asked Luis then to join her for an “Alay Lakad” project in Batangas, years back. She felt Luis’ willingness to help despite his busy showbiz schedule. She also said that Luis was the only choice to be her partner as vice governor.“Kung ilatag man po namin si Lucky sa inyo, na sana kung kami ay papalarin awa ng Panginoon at maging kapartner ko, nakikita ko na yung puwede pa naming magawa sa lalawigan ng Batangas.”Luis candidly started off his speech with “O maghanda na kayo dahil naghanda ako ng 8 songs.” He smoothly went onto his serious mode and said, “Medyo bago po lahat ito para sa akin. Medyo nakasanayan natin na kapag tayo’y nagkakausap nang ganito na may mga kamera, kungdi ako ay may hinahain sa inyo na bagong game show, o di kaya bagong pelikula, dun lang tayo nag-uusap para ipromote. Pero lahat ng iyan ay aatras ng konti dahil ang inihahain ko naman sa buong lalawigan ay buong-pusong serbisyo ko sa bawat Batangueño.”Luis did not say if he’ll take a time-off from showbiz if he gets elected. His wife Jessy also expressed support for her husband’s first dibs in the political arena.Luis earlier said that he was still undecided at first and he had long discussions over his decision with his wife.“We all have an obligation to serve. In what capacity, it all depends kung ano ang nilatag sa&#x27;yo ng tadhana. Pero naniniwala ako na kapag binigyan ka ng buhay ng Maykapal, may obligasyan kang tumulong sa kapwa mo. Pwede ka magpasaya, pwede kang tumulong sa telebisyon. Pero ang tinadhana sa akin na nakita ko kung paano nabago ng buhay ng lalawigan ng Batangueño dahil sa aking mommy.”As for Ryan, he said “I was taught when I was a kid, &#x27;to whom much is given, much is expected.’ I grew up with my parents. I saw them serve. I saw they built with everyone here, for Lipa and for Batangas and I want to be a part of that. I want to do my part for the community ‘cause that’s how I was raised. And I believe that there’s still a lot of work to be done not just for Lipa, but for the whole Batangas.”<div>POLITICAL DYNASTY?</div>Speaking exclusively to ABS-CBN News after the media conference, Vilma answered issues point blank.These include the Rectos being branded a political dynasty.Vilma said, “Hindi na bago yan. Dati namang may political dynasty. Ang amin, nagsisilbi kami, andito kami willing to serve, nagbibigay po kami ng gusto naming magawa pa. With my family, alam kong kaya na nila. Talino at puso, so nasa tao naman ang magdedesisyon, boboto sila.”She added, “Kung ayaw nila, wag pagbigyan. We can’t do anything. Kung gusto naman nila, puwes poposisyon kami to do our work and our job.”Second, on “turning government positions as family business” -- Vilma said, “I’ve been a public servant for 24 years, Ralph is 31 years. Meron po ba kaming naging isyu? Kasi, money is necessity but money is not everything. Kaya sumama ang anak ko - si Ryan and si Lucky, because lumaki sila na nagseserbisyo kami. He (Ryan) was three years old then, Lucky was 27. Lumaki sila sa nakikitang serbisyo namin. Awa ng Diyos, wala naman kaming isyu.&quot;“Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila (Ryan and Luis), it’s a different fulfillment serving our people without camera. At the end of the day, it’s the legacy eh. Hindi mo madadala ang pera. The fulfillment of you being a leader and they follow you, and you do something for your constituents, for your people, it’s a different fulfillment.”<div>DIFFICULT DECISION</div>After his COC filing, Luis shared that it was a difficult and emotional process for him and wife Jessy before he gave his &#x27;yes&#x27; to his mom, to be her official running mate.“Hindi ‘to agad-agad nung tinanong ako ni mommy kung gusto ko mag Vice Gov, eh oo agad. Kung alam niyo lang kung gaano kahaba ang usapan namin ng aking misis na si Jessy. May iyakan pa, may iyakan pa kaming dalawa bago ako um-oo.”He added, “Kasi nung una, medyo nag-iisip pa si Jessy, kung tama ba na tumakbo ako. Kasi siyempre medyo mag-iiba ang dynamics ng aming pamilya. Pero maraming salamat pa rin kay ‘How How’ kasi siya na rin ang nagsabi sa akin na, ‘How-How, marami kang matutulungan sa Batangas kaya kung tatakbo ka, suportado kita.’”Jessy, also joined the media conference and was asked if she’s prepared for what’s to come now that Luis is entering politics.“Prepared naman po (ako). Sa katunayan nga po, yung anak po namin may sakit ngayong araw. May lagnat po siya, pero sabi po niya sa akin ‘Love, baka pwedeng samahan mo &#x27;ko kahit sa filing lang, kailangan ko ng support mo.”She added, “Sabi ko sa kanya, kahit ano pa man yan, yun nga po nagka-iyakan na nga po kami kasi noong una po hindi po kami sigurado kung kaya ba, pero ngayon po kinakaya po and gusto ko pong ipangako sa aking minamahal, sa lahat ng kasama dito, 100% po akong magsu-support, kung kailangan pong biyakin ang katawan ko para suportahan ko po yung asawa ko, gagawin ko.”

Santos is running for governor in Batangas, while her son Luis, is joining politics running as he runs for vice governor. Recto is running for representative in Batangas's 6th district.

Santos is running for governor in Batangas, while her son Luis, is joining politics running as he runs for vice governor. Recto is running for representative in Batangas's 6th district.