Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla and Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez. Image: Facebook/@JonvicRemullaJr, @GovRamil
MANILA, Philippines — Two Southern Luzon governors traded jabs in good humor as Laguna imposed a “total lockdown” Saturday.
READ: Laguna placed under ‘total lockdown’
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, Jr. addressed an open letter to Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez on Sunday morning to complain that he could not get through a checkpoint to enter the province.
“Ganyanan na ha. Dehins ako pinalusot Ng checkpoint mula Bgy. Inchikan, Silang, Papunta Nuvali. ‘Bawal daw’ sabi ng hepe mo. Bali wala werpa ko sa checkpoint mo,” he wrote on Facebook.
(So that’s how it is. I was not allowed to get through the checkpoint from Barangay Inchikan, Silang, going to Nuvali. Your chief said it was not allowed. My power is nothing at your checkpoint.)
He said that Caviteños were more than capable of showing their strength too. “Tandaan mo na likas ang yabang at tapang naming mga kabitenyo. Ang mga taga laguna mga maka-dyos.”
“Tignan mo pangalan Ng mga bayan mo: San Pedro; Santa Cruz; Sta Rosa. Kami dito: General Trias; General Aguinaldo; General Mariano Alvarez. Nilikha kami sa digmaan.”
(Remember that us Caviteños are naturally proud and strong. Those from Laguna are faithful to God.)
He cited the names of Laguna towns named after saints and those in Cavite named after generals. He declared, “Nilikha kami sa digmaan.” (We were made in war.)
He said that he would get back at Hernandez by putting up his own checkpoint for him. “Magtatayo ako ng checkpoint sa Carmona para di ka makatwid. Umikot ka Ng Rizal ngayon para maramdaman mo Ang nararamdaman ng mga kababyan ko.”
(I will put up at checkpoint at Carmona so you cannot pass. Go around to Rizal so you will feel what my compatriots feel.)
He signed off the letter with “Iyong dating kaibigan, Gob. Jonvic.” (Your former friend, Gov. Jonvic.)
Remulla clarified that it was a joke and mentioned, “Even governors observe quarantine procedures. Dapat lahat tayo (We all should).”
Hernandez replied to the letter later in the morning on his Facebook page, sharing his own grievance against Remulla.
“Kapag may ulan o bagyo lagi mo akong inuunahan magdeklara ng walang pasok. kaya lagi akong naba-bash ng mga masisipag pumasok dine sa amin kahit mahina naman ang ulan dito sa Laguna,” he said.
(Whenever there is rain or a storm, you always declare class suspensions ahead of me. This is why I am always bashed by those who diligently go to work, even if the rains are light here in Laguna.)
“Ngayon, wag mo naman sanang masamain na ako naman ang nauna na nagdeklara ng Total Lockdown,” he wrote.
(Now, I hope you do not decry that I was the first to declare a total lockdown.)
He also drew another comparison between the two of them—through their looks. “Kung papogian naman ang usapan mas matangkad ka laang sa akin pero tao na magsabi kung kaninong gobernador ang mas pogi.”
(If we are talking about looks, you are only slightly taller than I am but people will say who among the governors is more handsome.)
Remulla has since written back to apologize for announcing class suspensions ahead of his fellow governor.
“Ang mga kalalawigan ko ay hinde immortal katulad nang mga taga Laguna. Di kami nakain ng bibe, puro tahong at talaba lang ang madami dito, kaya madalas lubog ang baybay dagat namin,” he said.
(My compatriots are not immortal like those in Laguna. We do not eat duck; shellfish and oysters are only what is abundant here, which is why our shores are usually submerged.)
On comparing their looks, he replied, “Huwag na natin gawing paligsahan ang pagandahan Lalaki. Baka mag rambulan Ang mga ‘Beki’ natin.”
(Let’s not make a contest out of male beauty. Our gays might get into a fight.)
“Panalangin ko na matapos na ang beerus na ito. Naboboryo na ang mga kababayan ko,” he concluded. (I hope this virus ends already. My fellow citizens are getting bored.)
Laguna has 23 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases as of Saturday. Cavite confirmed Sunday that it has 12 cases.