Three political stalwarts in Cavite have confirmed their gubernatorial bids a month before the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-imposed date for the filing of certificates of candidacies (CoCs).

The three are incumbent Vice Governor Dencito “Osboy” Campaña, former Vice Gov. Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, and Trece Martires City Mayor Melencio “Jun” de Sagun.

Campaña, Remulla, and De Sagun have officially announced their gubernatorial intentions in political gatherings early this week in Cavite and outside of the province.

The Cavite electorate considered Campaña, Remulla, and De Sagun as the strongest candidates for the gubernatorial post as they are veterans in the local political field.

Cavite has the biggest voting population in the country. Lawyer Juanito V. Ravanzo Jr., provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) supervisor, said there are at least 1.6 million voters in the province’s 20 towns and three cities.

Ravanzo said that the Comelec has set the filing of CoCs from November 20 to 30.

Campana, the incumbent vice governor, said he would run for governor following the recent endorsement of Governor Ayong S. Maliksi, who is on his last term. Maliksi, Campana, and 45 other key officials of the province have taken their oath of allegiance before Liberal Party standard-bearer Senators Benigno C. Aquino III and running mate Manuel A. Roxas II last Monday in Quezon City.

Remulla, 42, declared his bid during the convention of the Partido Magdalo last Wednesday in Kawit, Cavite, where they officially announced the local party’s coalition with the Nacionalista Party (NP) of Senator Manny Villar. He was the vice governor of the province from 1998 to 2007.

The aspirant is the second youngest son of Juanito “Johnny” Remulla who reigned as the province’s governor for 14 years and sibling of Third District Representative Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, and former Rep. Gilbert Remulla.

Sagun, a three-time undefeated mayor of Trece Martires City, officially announced his intention also this week. He said he has joined the Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) group of President Ramos.