At 24, wakeboarding scion of political clan set to become youngest PHL governor

As a wakeboarding enthusiast, Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte is used to making adrenalin pumping big air during competition in his home province of Camarines Sur. Now, however, Migz has a new field to conquer: local politics.

A member of the prominent but fragmented Villafuerte political clan of Camarines Sur, Migz, 24, is set to become the province's next governor – the youngest to hold such position in recent Philippine history.

Wakeboarding enthusiast Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte is set to become Camarines Sur's next governor – the youngest to hold such a position in recent Philippine history. Photo from Migz Villafuerte's Facebook account

According to Republic Act No. 6644, a gubernatorial candidate should be at least 23 years old.

Once his victory is formalized, Migz will replace his father, Luis Raymond “LRay” Villafuerte, in the position. His closest contender was his grandfather, Luis Villafuerte Sr.  He is the latest Villafuerte to join politics.

As of 3:27 p.m., GMA’s Eleksyon 2013 partial and unofficial vote tally, representing 67 percent of total votes, showed Migz ahead with 191,583 votes compared to Luis Sr.'s 148,487 votes. Other candidates for the post were Joel Cadiz (103,515), Joel Pelo (3,434), and Yam Iliw-iliw (1,523).

In an interview with GMA News Online Wednesday, Migz described wakeboarding as his “hobby.”

Love for CamSur

Although Migz studied outside Camarines Sur  — in De La Salle Zobel in grade school, in International School Manila in high school, and in University of San Diego in California in college where he studied political science — he said his heart belongs to the province.

Migz said even when he was still a student, he would always take time to visit Camarines Sur. In 2012, after his stint at the University of San Diego, he decided to come home for good.
 
During the interview, Migz defended his being a political neophyte by boasting of his supposed seven-year experience in business management, claiming his street wear apparel business earned millions in profit last year.

Asked on his take on political clans, one of the thorny issues in Philippine politics especially during the election period, Migz said: “Malaking bagay at tulong ang binigay ng aking ama. But, I worked really hard for this… At ang tao ang namimili.”

For his plans on Camarines Sur, Migz said he will follow his father’s legacy. “Patuloy kong susundan ang [yapak] ng aking ama sa tourism, education and agriculture.”

“I will unveil new tourism hotspots in Camarines Sur, marami pa kami niyan dito,” he added.

This photo allegedly of Migz Villafuerte circulating on Facebook has put the spotlight on the young soon-to-be-governor's other asset: his abs. Photo from MyKiRu.ph

Other Villafuertes’ on the polls

Judging from the partial unofficial results, it seems Migz is the only Villafuerte who got lucky in the May 13 elections.

Aside from his grandfather Luis Sr. losing to him, his grandmother, Nelly Villafuerte, was trailing behind Leni Robredo, widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, in the congressional race in the province's third district, while his father, LRay, was behind re-electionist Camarines Sur Rep. Dato Arroyo in the second district.

At present, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Mark Lapid, current Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority COO, hold the recognition of having been youngest governors in the country.

Marcos was 25 years old when he assumed office in Ilocos Norte in 1983, while Lapid was also 25 when he was elected as Pampanga governor in 2004.

Marcos is the son of the late President Ferdinand Marcos while Lapid is the son of Sen. Lito Lapid. — KBK, GMA News