As expected, the protagonists for Cavite gubernatorial derby are incumbent Vice Governor Dencito “Osboy” Campaña, former Vice Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, and Trece Martires City Mayor Melencio “Jun” de Sagun.

Lawyer Juanito V. Ravanzo Jr., provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) supervisor, said Remulla and Sagun filed their certificates of candidacy last Monday while Campaña Tuesday.

Tuesday (December 1) was the last day for the filing of CoCs for candidates for the May 2010 elections.

Remulla is running under the Nacionalista Party (NP) of Senators Manuel B. Villar Jr. and Loren Legarda, Sagun under Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) Party of former President Estrada and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, and Campaña under the Liberal Party (LP) of Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas.

Remulla, the youngest among the three candidates, belongs to a well-known political clan in the province. He is a son of former Governor Johnny Remulla and brother of 3rd District Representative Jesus Crispin Remulla and former Rep. Gilbert Remulla, who is currently the NP spokesman.

Campaña, the eldest among the three, was endorsed by outgoing Governor Ayong S. Maliksi, who recently took his oath as LP member, as the official administration candidate for the top provincial position. He was elected vice governor in 2007.

Sagun, a so-called dark horse candidate, was elected as mayor of Trece Martires City three times, starting in 2001. The city is the site of the Cavite Provincial Capitol.

It was the Manila Bulletin that first published the gubernatorial bid of the three candidates.