Mandanas eyes another position at 80
Hermilando Mandanas, governor of Batangas, has been in public service for decades. Born in Barangay Aplaya in the municipality of Bauan, he grew up in Batangas City. As a Lasallian and certified public accountant, he has held numerous managerial positions in the finance sector before serving in government. At the age of 80, Mandanas is eyeing another government position.
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Hermilando Mandanas, governor of Batangas, has been in public service for decades. Born in Barangay Aplaya in the municipality of Bauan, he grew up in Batangas City. As a Lasallian and certified public accountant, he has held numerous managerial positions in the finance sector before serving in government. At the age of 80, Mandanas is eyeing another government position.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Welcome to PRIMETIMES with Eternalia, where we delve into the most pressing issues of
00:09our society and listen to the most influential voices of our country.
00:13Today, we have a guest, Governor Hermelando Magdalenas of Batangas Province, where he
00:18would be talking about public governance and his vision for his loving Batangas Province.
00:24Gov, you are a seasoned politician.
00:28Can you tell our viewers, how many years have you been in public service?
00:33How long have you been here in Batangas?
00:35And who really is the Governor Magdalenas?
00:38I started to get interested in politics when Nino Aquino was assassinated, I mean, for
00:47elected position.
00:49But in terms of working with the government, I started way back in 1978.
00:58I started working in the organization of human settlements, and the ministry at that time
01:07was Mrs. Imelda Romualdez Marcos.
01:12I was recruited, actually, by the wife of then Deputy Minister Jolly Benitez.
01:23The wife was my classmate.
01:27She was from St. Teresa.
01:29I graduated from La Salle.
01:31We were classmates during the CPA review.
01:35And then she went abroad to study some more, and then later on we worked together with
01:40Carlos Jevaldez, an auditing firm.
01:44So Betty Benitez, Bantug Benitez.
01:48Gov, you mentioned earlier about you being in a CPA review.
01:54So you are a CPA by profession?
01:58Yes, of course.
01:59Yeah.
02:00We have a record that everybody passed in our class.
02:05That must have been an impressive class, Governor, because being a governor in a widely
02:11populated city such as Batangas is not an easy feat.
02:15It's easy for some, hard for others, let's put it that way.
02:20What do you think is the most memorable achievement or accomplishment that you have garnered as
02:28a governor here?
02:29And of course, we don't live in a perfect world, Gov.
02:33What is the most heartbreaking event or memory that you have endured as a governor here?
02:40Well, actually, no heartbreaking as a matter of fact.
02:44It's just, I consider it's a very big opportunity to be able to help.
02:49As I said, I started thinking of an elected position way back in 83.
02:55I was an investment banker working based in Hong Kong.
03:01I was doing projects, well, of course, in the Philippines and in China and in Guam,
03:10in US, but based in Hong Kong, although I had offices also in the Philippines, of course,
03:20and in LA and in Guam.
03:24So that was my job, but then the whole socio-political situation, even the economy, really worsened
03:34starting in 1983.
03:36I was in Hong Kong starting 1980, 81.
03:40So I thought, well, I'm doing well here, I think it's-
03:44As a private citizen.
03:45As a private citizen.
03:47So why don't I really help our country directly with an elected position?
03:54I was already with an appointed position, as I mentioned earlier, and I really learned
03:59that much really had to be done, well, up to now, much had to be done.
04:06That's why I'm still in politics.
04:10So that was the thing that drove me just to help.
04:17And it's a heartbreaking experience, no, but challenges, which I enjoy, they're always
04:25been there and they are still around.
04:27What is the most notable challenge that you tackled?
04:32You could say that really every issue is notable because we're dealing with fellow Filipinos.
04:43And for the Filipino, every situation is, of course, very important for each individual.
04:49And for me, what is important to my constituency or to my neighbor or to my ... They are always
04:55important to me.
04:57And every day is a different day, different problem, different opportunity.
05:02Gov, I want to go back to the first question, who really is Governor Mandanas?
05:09Because when people think about Governor Mandanas, one would think about, okay, seasoned politician,
05:15Tatay ng mga Batang Genyo, you know, well-versed in the politics.
05:22But I want to let our kababayans and viewers know who the real Governor Mandanas is.
05:27How many years na po ba kayo dito sa Batangas?
05:30Bakit po sa Batangas?
05:32Is this your hometown?
05:34Let our viewers be led into that story, Gov.
05:37Well, that means I have to start where I was born.
05:40I was born in Barangay Aplaya in the municipality of Bawan.
05:49And the first, let's say, awareness that I have was that my mother was a public school
05:57teacher.
05:59And my father, first, you know, recognizing him, he was a storekeeper there on Sari Sari
06:06Store in our barangay.
06:09And my father was the one tending the store.
06:11Then of course, I graduated from the Aplaya Elementary School, public school.
06:17Since then, and now, there's been a lot of improvement in public schools, for example.
06:24Because then we were just, the flooring of our room was just soil.
06:30We were barefooted.
06:33And we just have, so it's really a barrio school.
06:40And high school, I went to Batangas City, and in St. Bridges College, high school, as
06:48a matter of fact.
06:50So finished there, and went, studied at De La Salle for my…
07:02University education.
07:03Yes.
07:04So in Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in accountancy.
07:11I was able to adjust because, you know, coming from the province, really going to La Salle
07:17is completely different.
07:19Yes.
07:20Culture shock.
07:21Go.
07:22Not a shock, but this really, you would say, very different, of course.
07:30I didn't know, for example, we were going to have our initial class party, the first
07:35class party in Huacuac, and I said, probably it's a joke that I haven't heard of Huacuac.
07:41Then I realized, you know, things like those.
07:43Yes, sir.
07:44There.
07:45First, I stayed in a boarding house, of course.
07:49You know, we were, in our room, we were, I think, eight or nine, one room, and then separate,
07:57of course, from the girls.
07:58Yes, sir.
07:59But they only had one bathroom.
08:00So you have to share.
08:01Yeah, share.
08:02But to live up to it.
08:03That's how we started.
08:04And from there, took the, met a lot of people.
08:05I mean, you have, of course.
08:06That was one advantage in going to La Salle was, of course, the education is very good.
08:07Of course.
08:08But nevertheless, it's really also important, the classmates you had, the professors you
08:32had.
08:33The network.
08:34Yeah, the network.
08:35That's how it's called right now.
08:36Yes.
08:38So, do you think, categorically, that humble beginnings inspire a person?
08:44I consider that a blessing, that you could start, because then you would be able to have
08:48the compassion, you would be able to have the, let's say, determination, the motivation
08:57to really help others, starting really from almost nothing, but with prayers, of course,
09:07and especially my mother and my father.
09:10And my father also, and I was able to enter La Salle because there was a big gap between
09:17me, I'm the eldest, and my brother, who was next to me, like almost four years.
09:26And he took up, went to the seminary, but he didn't have to have any, to pay too much
09:32tuition.
09:33Yes, sir.
09:34So, well, I was able to adjust.
09:37Sir, I'm very inspired with what you just said, that humble beginnings, you consider
09:42it as a blessing.
09:43Yes, it's a blessing.
09:44Definitely.
09:45Right?
09:46Because you're able to identify with the people.
09:49Yeah.
09:50And with that, Gov, you've already identified our Kababayans here, you've helped them out
09:57tremendously.
09:59What do you think, Gov, are the challenges of your constituents here that can be likened
10:07also to the national spectrum itself?
10:11What are the problems or concerns here in Batangas that we can also compare, that become
10:18a problem in the national spectrum?
10:21I don't know.
10:22I always see opportunities.
10:25And with that, I focus on what's needed.
10:29For example, our programs, for example, health.
10:33Even when we were kids, we were really challenged.
10:35My father almost died of tuberculosis.
10:38Had to go to Gerson Institute, which everyone knows is really the, it's a public hospital
10:45in words.
10:46Yes, Gov.
10:47Even my mother couldn't visit.
10:49Even myself couldn't visit my father, but was saved by this new kind of medicine.
10:56And later on, even got employed with Philippine National Bank, and raised up from clerk-messenger.
11:05A nice anecdote for me was that at that time, Philippine National Bank was a government
11:12bank in Batangas, so it's only an agency, not a branch.
11:17And they were sharing office in a government building, which was, at that time, the office
11:23was in the basement of the capital.
11:26So I always tried to imagine my father there as a clerk-messenger, and now I am governor.
11:34So you could see the blessing that could be, and the motivation also, that really given
11:40opportunities, everyone could succeed.
11:44And that's the reason why I think Batangas would have the biggest number of scholars,
11:52which our focus, we have now more than 47,000 in Rome.
11:57And of course, since I returned as governor in 2016, up to now, more than 150,000 have
12:05already graduated.
12:09But of course, even during my, I started this when I first became governor in 1995.
12:16So I focus on health, because as I said, it was like in, it was, we were...
12:21It is personal to you.
12:22Yeah, very personal.
12:24My father was sickly.
12:25They were all eight siblings.
12:30Six died because of lungs, you know.
12:32It's in our genes to, that's why we are, we have, we're like, what, six siblings.
12:41I'm the eldest.
12:43So my name is Hermilando, which starts with an H.
12:49The next one, the priest, Ernesto, like the name of my father.
12:55And then the next one, Azucena, she just passed away last December.
13:04And then Lourdes, and then Teresa and Helen.
13:08That's even the acronym, HELP.
13:12Yeah.
13:13Oh, yes.
13:14That's the reason why, even when I first became governor, I immediately recognized, they served
13:21the volunteers, the barangay health workers.
13:24So I was the first one who gave regular monthly allowance, just to the barangay health workers,
13:34barangay nutrition.
13:36We can state here, to our Kababayans and viewers, that health and education are your top agendas.
13:44Health, education, of course, livelihood.
13:47Of course.
13:48Batangueños, given the opportunities, they work.
13:52And that's the thing that is, for me, admirable.
13:56It's like innate in us.
13:59So you can say, Gov, that the Batangueños are really resilient people.
14:03Yes, I would say that.
14:05I mean, of course, you would say, all Filipinos are like that.
14:09You could say that of Ilocanos, of Vicolanos, people from Panga.
14:16But here, we just really try to push it.
14:19And we are blessed with, let's say, infrastructure, natural.
14:23We have the best base for the port, which has attracted so many companies.
14:30So easy to market.
14:34Just let them know what we have.
14:37And that's why here, our port, we have more passengers, three times more passengers than Manila, for example.
14:44So Batangas is open for investors, Gov?
14:47Not only open, but we invite them.
14:50You encourage.
14:51We encourage them.
14:52We really try to, really, you know, people have to work.
14:57Of course.
14:58That gives them dignity.
15:01But they need education.
15:05And then they have to be healthy.
15:07These are the main areas.
15:10Very basic.
15:11Yeah.
15:12Your agendas are interconnected, Gov?
15:14Of course.
15:15Health, education, and livelihood.
15:17One cannot survive without the other.
15:19Yes, and also the other things that would protect life and property of the people.
15:27Yes, of course.
15:28Like housing.
15:29Like, for example, in case of disaster.
15:32Yeah.
15:33We have Taal Volcano.
15:35We are always…
15:36That's what I was thinking, Taal Volcano.
15:38We have, of course, a few typhoons every year.
15:41Yes, Gov.
15:42We have earthquakes.
15:43It's just like any other part of the country.
15:45So we have to be prepared for all of those.
15:48Okay.
15:49So I run it like running any company or any association.
15:54Yes.
15:55But in your constituency, it would be like your stockholders.
15:59Yes.
16:00You have to protect them.
16:01Yes.
16:02Look at the interest.
16:03Yeah.
16:04So that is the whole idea.
16:06Gov, you have to forgive me for this next question.
16:10There are rumors circulating.
16:12And I have to ask you because some of the rumors are saying that you could be appointed as the next executive secretary
16:22in replacement of the current one right now.
16:25Can you shed some clarity or some light into that speculation, Gov?
16:30I have heard about that.
16:32Okay.
16:33But I have to tell you, I have not been offered that position or any position from this particular government.
16:43But you did hear of it.
16:45Of course.
16:46You hear it every day.
16:49Yeah.
16:51Because I think, Gov, if that were to happen, that would help out a lot with the administration.
16:57But of course, Batangas would always need someone like you as a father there.
17:03So speaking of needing you, Gov, what are your future plans ahead?
17:092025 is nearing.
17:11Right now, it's really, I just came from our executive committee.
17:17Our plans really would be what to do this while I'm governor and how to prepare for the next governor.
17:24That's really what we're doing right now.
17:26Will you run again, Gov?
17:28I cannot run as governor anymore.
17:30Of course, because of the nine years.
17:31Because I'm on my third term.
17:33Yes, sir.
17:34Second round.
17:35Yes, sir.
17:36So effectively, I'm on my sixth term as a governor.
17:41In between, three terms also as a congressman.
17:46So, and I must say that to say that I enjoy it is an understatement.
17:53I consider it really as part of my life.
17:57You know, you've been through a lot as congressman, as governor.
18:02Would there be any truth that you can run in any other elective position?
18:08Yes, definitely.
18:10I would run for elected position, but that has to be determined, well, before October.
18:20You're not closing any doors, Gov?
18:22No, not at all.
18:24We are going to have election again next year.
18:27Yes, sir.
18:28And those who want to be elected will have to file by first week of October.
18:34Yes, within the regulatory period.
18:36Yes, yes.
18:37Gov, your wedding has been the talk of the town until now.
18:43It was really exciting.
18:45That's what people say.
18:47It was exciting, it was inspiring.
18:50How are you into this new chapter, Gov?
18:55Because, of course, being married is another thing, and being governor is another thing.
19:03So, how do you balance it?
19:05Before you go back, how can we balance it, Gov?
19:10The whole idea is I always believe in unity of life.
19:15I mean, everything you do is related to whatever.
19:19You know, my wife passed more than two years ago.
19:26So, after a year, she was most helpful.
19:31I really love my wife.
19:33Up to now, I still pray every day for her.
19:36No, not for her, to her.
19:38Because I know that she lived a challenging but very good life when we were together.
19:43So, after a year or so, I also considered, hey, can I still have a family?
19:49Yes.
19:50And I thought, yeah, why not?
19:52Health-wise, I always have been considered between 50 to 60.
19:59I'm in my medical age.
20:01Which is impressive, Gov.
20:03They consider, I think, the condition of your vital organs.
20:08Yes, Gov.
20:09Well, I've never stayed overnight in a hospital.
20:14I've never been operated or anything like that.
20:17That's how they consider it.
20:19I said, why not?
20:21I mean, we have been created to have a family.
20:25So, I don't have any children right now.
20:31So, I married someone who's also single.
20:35And I think your age, probably.
20:39So, that's how it happened.
20:44I mean, why not?
20:46That's the whole idea.
20:47But she is open that she married the father of Batangas.
20:52You will be busy, Gov, at work.
20:54You will be busy with your constituents.
20:57Is it okay with Madam that we're still on the honeymoon stage, Gov?
21:04Why are you still busy?
21:06Is she okay with that?
21:07Yes, definitely.
21:09And most important of all, that's why we decided to get married,
21:13is that she is also open to have children.
21:18Because initially, she was not.
21:20Then I said, we cannot go on together.
21:23Because the whole idea of marriage is to have children and take care of them.
21:28She understood the process and we became open.
21:31So, I said, okay, let's go.
21:33But we were planning a very small kind of wedding.
21:37Very few, very small.
21:39We'll hold it in Montemaria.
21:42It's an area here in Batangas.
21:44And then in a small restaurant in Dipak for the reception.
21:50But then while we were planning about it,
21:53one of my former students, who is now one,
21:57mentioned, hey, you cannot do that.
21:59You are the governor.
22:01You have to do something big.
22:03You have to project more.
22:05You're representing Batangas.
22:07And so, you have to open up, invite all the people,
22:13and really show that it could be done.
22:18And it should be good.
22:20So, okay.
22:21So, that's what we did.
22:23You attracted a lot of people, Gov, to your wedding.
22:26A lot of people were happy.
22:28A lot of people were inspired.
22:30But for you, Gov,
22:32what was the most difficult in that process, in the wedding?
22:38Were there jitters?
22:40Did you still have work even though you were about to get married?
22:45Can you please share to our viewers, Gov,
22:49what was the most difficult thing that day?
22:52You know, every day, if you look at it,
22:54it's difficult, but it's easy.
22:57I like that.
22:58That's why my favorite prayer, which I do every day,
23:02is the Our Father.
23:03Give us this day.
23:05It's always day.
23:06Every day is different.
23:09But every day is really, I find it easy,
23:12whatever comes.
23:14I don't have any problem at all.
23:18So, when there is a problem, the solution comes.
23:23Yes.
23:24That's why it's, I don't know why,
23:28but probably it's a blessing.
23:31I'm sure it's a blessing.
23:33You're a very positive person, Gov.
23:36Understanding your concepts about your daily life,
23:42how you handle the difficulties,
23:44and have it presented to you as opportunities are something else
23:48because not everybody can do that.
23:49That's a skill.
23:51So, my next question would have to be, Gov,
23:54is that do you think age is a blessing?
24:00Do you think it's actually something that could help you further
24:04in your political career or in your personal life?
24:08Do you think age is really just a number?
24:11Age is a number, of course.
24:14But, and you have different kinds of ages.
24:20You have your mental age.
24:23You have the mind of a child, for example,
24:27even if you're old, in terms of number of years.
24:30There are those who are still young,
24:32but already have the gift of knowledge, wisdom.
24:37Maturity.
24:38Understanding, maturity.
24:40And the same thing, you have a physical, medical age.
24:45Yes, Gov.
24:46They're still young, they're dying, they have cancer.
24:49There are those who are not even 40 years old,
24:55or not even 20 years old.
24:57They're already weak.
24:58They're already weak.
24:59So, it depends on the genes, of course.
25:01Yes, Gov.
25:02Well, probably, I'm sure we're all blessed,
25:05our family with good genes.
25:07Yes, Gov.
25:08So, from that point of view.
25:09Yes, Gov.
25:10It's not the determination of what you can do with others,
25:15you know, for others.
25:17Every day is a gift.
25:18Let's put it that way.
25:20I like that.
25:21Every day is a gift.
25:22Every day is a gift, which is really a gift,
25:24because we aspire to inspire others every day.
25:29So, Gov, what do you think about this administration as of now,
25:37with President BBM's eight-point socioeconomic agenda?
25:41You know, he wants everybody to be included.
25:46No one should be left behind.
25:48That is his mantra.
25:50So, how do you inculcate that, Gov,
25:53the mindset of our government administration headed by PBBM,
26:00and transcend it to Batangas?
26:03Because, of course, Batangas is big.
26:05It's not a small city.
26:08So, how do we bring the national mandate to our province?
26:17And, of course, to make the lives of your constituents better?
26:21Well, the President alone couldn't do it.
26:24Absolutely.
26:26I mean, in addition to the help of God,
26:29really has to work with everyone.
26:33And this concept of the one that really interested me the most,
26:38or really inspired me,
26:40as you said, this whole idea of sama-sama, nakaka-isa,
26:46and the dignity of the Filipino has to be pushed.
26:51All of those now will have to be not only expressed again,
26:56but really believed by the people.
27:00And he has to, of course, inspire, promote, work, and that's all.
27:05He cannot do it alone.
27:07So, everyone has to participate.
27:09And still, the number one problem we have would, of course, be,
27:14well, the basic problems of corruption.
27:17Corruption.
27:19Of course, we have problems of drugs, which is also part of corruption,
27:24another kind of corruption.
27:26So, that is still the issue right now.
27:31And the values of the people are very much affected
27:35by the behavior of our leaders.
27:39And so, our leaders also will have to really lead the others, as mentioned.
27:47And there is always room for improvement.
27:51There is always room for improvement.
27:53Gov, do you believe in public servant leadership?
27:56Yes, of course.
27:58I mean, to be a leader, you really have to sincerely be a servant.
28:05This is basic.
28:07A leader is to be a servant.
28:09Do you think all of the leaders in our country are emulating public servant leadership, Gov?
28:15Well, if you say all, then I could categorically answer, no, not all.
28:19But in Batangas, Gov, of course, as the Tatay of the Batanguenos,
28:26you are emulating public servant leadership, which is very vital.
28:30Because if they see a leader who does this, they would be inclined to follow suit.
28:36Yes, that's one of the fundamental needs of a leader.
28:42He has to inspire, he has to motivate people, he has to set high goals, high standards,
28:49and show himself as an example.
28:52May I ask, Gov, what if there are bad apples in our leadership?
28:59How do you, because I'm seeing you as this positive person,
29:03I'm seeing you as this compassionate person who really has the heart for others,
29:07but of course, in compassion, there is also discipline.
29:10So to take it out of the basket, so it wouldn't affect the rest of the apples.
29:15You experienced that, Gov, that we took out the apples.
29:19Of course, I've done that.
29:21And it's done in, of course, in a way that you preserve also whatever dignity left to the person,
29:29and giving the opportunity to recover.
29:34And that has happened too. Many have recovered.
29:37We have been talking here for almost 30 minutes,
29:40and I have garnered that the qualities that you possess are that of a public servant leader.
29:47And I cannot say that to every person that I have been meeting in the political spectrum.
29:52Thank you.
29:53With that, Gov, I give you the floor to talk to your constituents,
29:57to your supporters, and to everybody that you are teaching, Gov.
30:01We are just law students.
30:03We already know who Governor Mandanas is.
30:06We already know what your contribution is to our country,
30:10not just here in Batangas, but in the entire Philippines.
30:14I give you the floor, Gov, to talk to the constituents, to the people of Batangas,
30:19and just, you know, relay what you feel and your plans for them.
30:25Probably the basic thing is that the fight is every day.
30:30It's every hour.
30:33You have temptations. You have all over the place at all times.
30:41And therefore, what is really needed is really you need prayer.
30:47There are a lot. It's very much needed.
30:52Once you pray, you realize what your weaknesses are,
30:56but you also realize that you have tremendous help,
30:59that there is no reason why you would be even afraid for anything.
31:05So that is the thing. The fight should be constant.
31:11That is an issue.
31:13What you are now, you will not be probably tomorrow.
31:17So it has to be a constant fight.
31:21That, I guess, is the number one thing.
31:24But you have the help, and that is from our Lord,
31:27and also from those working with you.
31:29And this applies not only in politics, it applies in…
31:33Everyday life.
31:34Everyday life, doing the ordinary things,
31:37but as we say, always trying to do it extraordinarily well.
31:41That is the thing.
31:42By living the basic virtues, order, being industrious, being cheerful, happy.
31:53Have you been sad in a day in your life, Gov?
31:56Because I'm seeing positivity so much.
31:59And just by listening to you and you telling our viewers and telling me
32:05that being industrious, being positive, being cheerful,
32:09would help you in the fight every day.
32:12May I ask, Gov, and you may or may not answer,
32:15but when can you remember being sad in your life, even just for one day?
32:21When I commit mistakes, when I fail to do what I should be doing.
32:28And that happens also to me, just like with everyone.
32:31And we all fall.
32:34That is also one thing which you have to admit.
32:37We have to have the humility to accept when we are wrong.
32:41Yes.
32:42And to make preparation.
32:45And when we fall, to stand up.
32:47It's just like a baby, before it could really walk well,
32:52it would really have to fall several times.
32:56But that would strengthen.
32:58It's not a matter of how you fell, but how you would stand up.
33:03That really is the one that matters.
33:05Before I won in politics, I lost twice.
33:09Oh, really?
33:10Of course.
33:11Entering politics, I was not known at all.
33:15Or you did not give up?
33:17I tried again because I realized that I really have nothing to lose.
33:22I just have to offer myself.
33:24If they think I would be qualified, please.
33:30That's why I don't buy votes.
33:33I don't, never.
33:34I would never have bought votes.
33:37So, at one point, I won for the first time as governor.
33:46That was the first.
33:48And then you do your work.
33:51And I assure you, if you do your work, whatever position you are in,
33:56you will not lose.
33:58You will not lose anymore.
34:00And I think I've proven that.
34:02I am inclined to say that the best thing that you have said here was do your work,
34:08be industrious, be compassionate, have the heart for the people,
34:12and your agenda is being…
34:13And to pray.
34:14Of course.
34:15No one should forget that.
34:16That is very important.
34:17Yes.
34:18Because a higher power…
34:19But that doesn't mean that I do not sin.
34:20I sin also.
34:21As a matter of fact, if I don't pray, I would be probably the worst politician.
34:26Health, education, livelihood.
34:29Those three you think or you consider.
34:32And, of course, protection of really life through, you know…
34:35Property and freedom.
34:36Property, yes.
34:37Gov, we really, on behalf of Manila Times, we really are grateful for you coming in here
34:45and being interviewed.
34:46Gov, I know you came from your honeymoon with Atty.
34:50It was not a honeymoon.
34:51What was it called?
34:52It was a pilgrimage.
34:54Pilgrimage.
34:55I stand corrected.
34:56I really didn't realize.
34:58Because I wanted to go to another place, China, where it would be more relaxing and all that.
35:04Yes.
35:05Especially my wife now.
35:08She's a Chua, probably.
35:13Really, the grandfather was 100% Chinese.
35:16Yes.
35:17Came from China, married a Filipina.
35:22And in Ibaan, and was very hard, promoted the Colombo and all of those.
35:28Why didn't you continue in China, Gov?
35:31Because she wanted to go to Italy instead.
35:35And that is where happy wife, happy life comes in.
35:38So I said, okay.
35:39But then it turned out to be 10,000 times better than if I didn't go.
35:46Because there, it was really, we went to no less than, I don't know, 30 churches.
35:52Oh, wonderful.
35:53Because we went to Rome.
35:54We met the Pope, of course.
35:56We got his blessing.
35:57We still have not only the picture, but even before we went there, our Archbishop gave us already the blessing.
36:06Oh, that's wonderful.
36:07And you see the culture, the history of the people, the generosity of the leaders before.
36:14That's the kind of thing that we would like to, us to have, you know?
36:20In the Philippines.
36:21In the Philippines.
36:22And well, that's also what we have been brought up.
36:27With our values.
36:28You have to have the values.
36:30As I say, when I was in, I'm in politics.
36:32I always say, really yung pagkatao, higit sa partido.
36:37Everybody talks about what party.
36:39Higit sa partido.
36:41And the one from the very beginning, he said, we Batangueños, well, we have been, I guess, blessed.
36:47It's been our destiny.
36:49The start of, let's say, the sense of freedom, liberty, and worth of the Filipino started with, expressed by, let's say, heroes like Mabini.
37:03And fought by heroes like Malbar.
37:08Yes, God.
37:09And people like that.
37:10So, it has to be, and we have been blessed that we are right now one of the richest provinces.
37:17We have the best bay.
37:19We supply the Philippines.
37:2130% of the power requirement of the country comes from Batangas.
37:25Wonderful.
37:26The fuel, oil, kerosene, gasoline, 65% pass through Batangas.
37:31Yes, God.
37:32The submarine cables needed for our internet and all that, before 100%.
37:39Because only here in Batangas were the cables before.
37:42But now, fortunately, other places already have.
37:45So, we are only probably 65%.
37:48We have the only petrochemical plant here.
37:51Because it's very accessible.
37:54But still, we could improve, as I mentioned.
37:59Yes, God.
38:00When it comes to transportation.
38:02We have the biggest number of passengers, domestic passengers.
38:06Yes.
38:07Bigger than Manila.
38:08Yes, God.
38:09I mean, and this is not because only of us.
38:13With the help of God, of course.
38:15We don't have any control of where we have the best Batangas Bay.
38:20Right now, our Bureau of Customs, they collect the highest collection here in Batangas.
38:28In Batangas.
38:29Higher than Manila.
38:31Higher than Manila International Container.
38:34Higher than Subic.
38:36Yes.
38:37In their collection.
38:38So, what I'm saying is that we start.
38:41And, of course, modesty aside.
38:44Here, we started really correcting this thing of giving the local government the right share.
38:52Because, as I said, we were talking about earlier.
38:55President Marcos Jr. cannot do it on his own.
38:57Nobody.
38:58No president can do it.
38:59It has to be working together with the national leaders and the local leaders.
39:04Yes, agreed.
39:05The local leaders are the ones that are really in front.
39:07The soldiers.
39:09Yes.
39:10It's just like in the human body.
39:12The national probably would be the head.
39:14The vital organs.
39:16But you still need the feet, the hands.
39:19And, you know.
39:20The operators.
39:21Yes.
39:22The ones who are close to the people.
39:24Yes, Gov.
39:25There are a lot of things like agriculture, like social welfare.
39:30That could be better done by the locals.
39:35Because we know the type of soil, the weather, the water condition.
39:39When it comes to agriculture.
39:41Of course.
39:42Of course.
39:43More than the ones.
39:44The national.
39:45But when it comes to foreign affairs.
39:47When it comes to defense, national defense.
39:49Yes.
39:50Of course those are national.
39:51But there should be coordination.
39:53A synergy.
39:54Yes.
39:55There should be what you call following the principle of subsidiarity.
39:59Of course.
40:00What could be done by the lower authorities.
40:01Yes.
40:02Let them do it.
40:03Do not overstep on the national government.
40:07Likewise, they could do better.
40:09And the local government should not interfere.
40:11I should respect them.
40:12Yes.
40:13Yes.
40:14So, it's clear what in the military, what the general can do, the sergeant cannot do.
40:21Of course.
40:22But definitely the sergeant also does things that the general cannot do.
40:27So, this principle is very important in good governance.
40:32And that's why I fought when I saw they're not giving the local government the legal and just share.
40:40Yes.
40:41So, of course, in the process, I was in Congress.
40:46I was expelled as chairman of Ways and Means.
40:53But I said, fighting for something right.
40:56So, that's the only reason why I went to the Supreme Court.
41:00In which you have inculcated this doctrine.
41:03Yeah.
41:04That would be passed on generations and generations because of what you thought about.
41:08Yeah, because we in local government would need what's just.
41:11Yes.
41:12So, that we'll be able to help the people.
41:14Yes.
41:15And services which are basic.
41:18Correct.
41:19Which not attended to by the one in the national.
41:21Correct.
41:22It's basic and well, we started it here.
41:27Nobody at that time wanted to join me, actually.
41:30Yes.
41:31But now everybody would want to share.
41:33Finally, one, another, my former classmate also from Los Angeles, Ted Garcia, Governor of Bataan.
41:38Also, filed and won also with me.
41:41Another case, new interpretation.
41:44You are not just a politician.
41:46I don't see you as a politician.
41:48What I see from you is that you are a public servant.
41:51And with that, Gov, we are very grateful.
41:54And we really do hope that in 2025, it's just, of course, you cannot run as governor anymore because of, of course, the period allotted.
42:02But it would be such a waste not to have Mr. Mandanas, Mayor Mandanas, Congressman Mandanas within the public sphere.
42:11A compassionate person, a hardworking person, and most importantly, prayerful person.
42:18With that, thank you so much, Governor Mandanas, for guesting in my show.
42:22And this has been PRIMETIMES with Trinilia.
42:24I wish you all a good day.