Ex-Dasmariñas VP Defends Congressional Bid, Cites Public Service Over Loyalty

DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite – Former Dasmariñas City Vice Mayor Rex Mangubat has responded to criticisms questioning his decision to seek a congressional seat in the upcoming special election, asserting that his gratitude to the late Congressman Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. remains sincere and will never be forgotten. He stressed, however, that gratitude should not be used to silence a person’s desire to offer the people an alternative or to suggest that Dasmariñas belongs to only one individual, name, or family. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside Cong. Pidi. He opened the door for me to have the chance to learn, serve, and help Dasmariñas,” Mangubat said. Mangubat said the years he spent serving alongside the late congressman helped shape him as a public servant. “We went through and shared a lot in service. That will not be erased by any election or difference in paths.” But he clarified that the opportunity given to him was ultimately an opportunity to serve the people, not a lifelong obligation to remain politically loyal to one name or family. “However, public service is not a lifelong debt of gratitude. The opportunity given to me was not to remain loyal to one name or family. It was to serve every Dasmarineño.” Mangubat emphasized that his candidacy should not be interpreted as a rejection of Pidi Barzaga’s legacy. Instead, he described it as an effort to continue one of the most important lessons he learned in public service: that the people must always come first. “Dasmariñas belongs to every Dasmarineño, not to anyone.” “It is not betrayal to stand up and offer change. Every Dasmarineño has the right to choose freely.” The Commission on Elections has estimated that approximately ₱200 million may be required to conduct the special election in Cavite’s Fourth Legislative District. Mangubat said the considerable cost and significance of the electoral exercise should encourage a more meaningful public discussion centered on the qualifications, experience, independence, and concrete plans of every candidate. He added that the election should not be reduced to questions of personal loyalty or political inheritance. “True service is not measured by whom you followed, but by whom you are willing to fight for, especially when change is needed.” Mangubat said he remains grateful to Barzaga for opening the door that allowed him to enter public service. But he believes the next door must be opened by the people themselves. “Pidi opened the door for me. Now, I want to open a bigger door for all of us: the opportunity to choose an alternative and have change that will truly be felt.” “This is not turning away from where I came from. This is continuing the lesson that the people should always come first. Dasmariñas is for every Dasmarineño.”