Vice Mayor Jay Manalo Ilagan is underdog candidate for Batangas governor
Mataasnakahoy town Vice Mayor and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Manalo Ilagan
Mataasnakahoy town Vice Mayor and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Manalo Ilagan has clarified that he meant no offense to his opponent in a lengthy interview that went viral.
Ilagan explained that his comments were part of a broader conversation on the need for new leadership in Batangas, not a personal attack on former governor and actress Vilma Santos.
He also said several members of his family, including his late mother and sister, were longtime “Vilmanians,” a term used to refer Santos’ fans.
Ilagan, a former tarpaulin installer who rose to become mayor of Mataasnakahoy, is mounting an underdog campaign against one of Batangas’ most iconic figures.
Santos, a three-term governor and former Lipa City mayor, is eyeing a political comeback in the 2025 elections.
Ilagan said his candidacy represents a new generation of leaders emerging from the grassroots.
“Hindi ako magpapadala ng kinatawan. Ako mismo ang haharap sa mga tao at sa kanilang mga pangangailangan,” he said.
(I will not send a representative. I, myself, will face the people and attend to their needs.)
Mataasnakahoy town Vice Mayor and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Manalo Ilagan
His campaign is centered on practical governance and bold visions, including his proposal to establish the Batangas Bay Metropolitan Authority (BBMA), a provincial body inspired by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
The BBMA, according to Ilagan, would streamline the development of Batangas Bay by overseeing port operations, industrial zones, and environmental protection efforts currently divided among multiple municipalities and national agencies.
Batangas Bay is one of the country’s busiest economic corridors, hosting oil refineries, logistics hubs, and commercial ports. Ilagan believes centralizing its management will unlock its full economic potential.
Despite going up against a formidable political dynasty, Ilagan is unfazed.
“I’ve been on the streets, putting up banners instead of appearing on them,” he said. “I know what it’s like to work hard for every peso.”
With his hands-on style and push for change, Ilagan wants to give Batangueños a real choice — one based not on showbiz fame or political clan, but on hard work and grass-root governance.
