The governor’s announcement to seek his third and last term marked his 69th birthday.

Maliksi, provincial chairman of the Liberal Party-Atienza wing, was proclaimed as the gubernatorial candidate of the Liberal Party by national president Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, and LP national chairman and senatorial candidate Mike Defensor.

Also, Atienza and Defensor also proclaimed Maliksi’s running mate Board Member Osboy Campaña.

Minutes after the arrival of Atienza at the farm, some senatorial candidates of Team Unity showed up. They are Defensor, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Vic Magsaysay, Ralph Recto, Prospero Pichay, Chavit Singson, and Gloria Angara, wife of Ed Angara. Angara was reportedly hosting the Team Unity’s campaign in Lucena.

Later in the day, senatorial bet Loren Legarda of the Genuine Opposition was seen in the farm shaking hands with the visitors. However, she did not meet any candidate of Team Unity.

Maliksi said that he is very grateful to Atienza and his party because "they supported me through thick and thin, especially at times when I needed them most."

"Let’s do away with so much bickering and let’s work hand in hand so we may be able to pursue the economic development of Cavite," Maliksi said.

Also proclaimed at the same affair were the three congressional bets of LP in the province. They are reelectionist Rep. Emilio Joseph Abaya (1st district); Dasmariñas Mayor Elpidio Barzaga (2nd district), and presidential deputy chief of staff Undersecretary Armando de Castro (3rd district).

Likewise proclaimed were candidates of LP for the members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, mayors, vice mayors, and councilors of Cavite’s 20 towns and three cities. (Mandy Francisco)