Former Congressman Kiko Barzaga’s term in the House of Representatives was cut short when 265 of his colleagues voted to expel him for “disorderly behavior” and violations of the House Code of Conduct. Despite that, Dasmariñas, the lone city that makes up Cavite’s fourth legislative district, remains divided on their ex-representative. While he earned praise on social media, mostly from supporters of the Duterte political clan, for his unapologetic attitude in Congress, other citizens aired frustrations over his inability to deliver on long-standing issues in the district, such as healthcare, water supply, and heavy traffic.
When the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced a special election for Cavite’s fourth district representative in July, former Dasmariñas Vice Mayor Raul Rex D. Mangubat was the first to file a certificate of candidacy (COC). “I have always believed that our city and our district can do even better,” he tells Rolling Stone Philippines. “That is part of the dream: to help create more opportunities, improve the lives of our people, and show them that we are capable of achieving more together.”
Along with four other candidates, he has embarked on a last-minute campaign to earn the favor of Dasmariñas. The veteran public servant has over two decades of work in governance behind him, first elected in 2004 as municipal councilor for the city before becoming a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in 2010. From then to 2016, he also chaired the provincial board’s Committee on Finance, Budget and Appropriations, before his nine-year tenure as Dasmariñas vice mayor. But in all his years of participating and winning in local polls, he has never experienced a special election.
“The difficulty here is that it is such a short time to campaign,” he says. “We’re only talking of roughly around 30 days to campaign for the position, and considering that we are a very huge city and district — 75 barangays and 400,000+ voters — I have to compress all that during the campaign period.”
When he filed his COC in July, Mangubat received some criticism for running for the vacated position against Barzaga’s mother, incumbent Dasmariñas Mayor Jennifer “Jenny” Austria-Barzaga, especially as the former vice mayor had served alongside Austria-Barzaga’s late husband, former Congressman Elpidio “Pidi” Frani Barzaga Jr. In response, Mangubat said, “Ang pagkakataong ibinigay sa akin ay hindi para manatili akong tapat sa isang pangalan o pamilya. Iyon ay para paglingkuran ang bawat Dasmarineño.”
A supporter of the anti-dynasty bill, part of Mangubat’s campaign is also hinged on earning the trust of Dasmarineños through hard work, instead of nepotism. “Minamana ba ang tiwala, o pinaghihirapan? Para sa ‘kin, pinaghihirapan ito,” reads a post on his social media page.
With the Barzagas having won significant local positions in the 2025 midterm polls, Mangubat faces a fat dynasty in the special election to be held on August 29. But to that, his campaign slogan simply says, “Challenge accepted para sa Dasmariñas.”
“We know that public service comes with many challenges, and we know the road will not always be easy,” Mangubat says. “But we welcome those challenges because we believe that we can still do more for our city. For me, it is about giving back to the place that has given me the opportunity to serve for so many years.”
Here, he talks to Rolling Stone Philippines about his years in public service, the issues that Dasmariñas faces now, and what makes the district’s special election so important.
You’re running to replace former Rep. Kiko Barzaga and against the late Rep. Pidi Barzaga’s wife, Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga. You’ve also mentioned on a few occasions that you look up to the late Cong. Pidi. What did you learn from him about governance?
I have always believed in and respected his vision and aspirations for Dasmariñas: to make it one of the leading cities in Cavite. But the challenges our people face today are different from those of the past. The needs have evolved, and so must the way we respond to them.
Speaking of the past, you’ve served as Dasmariñas’s vice mayor three times. What are some issues in the city or district that you think should be addressed, regardless of who wins?
The number one priority would definitely be the health needs of the people of Dasmariñas. We have a population nearing one million, so you can imagine the scale of the demand when it comes to healthcare. Dasmariñas has also long been a relocation site for many families who came from Metro Manila. A lot of them still struggle with access to basic healthcare. Some cannot afford to go to the hospital, see a doctor, or even buy the medicines they need. That is why healthcare, for me, has to be addressed first.
The second priority would be the water problem. I have been going around different communities, from relocation areas to subdivisions, and one concern that keeps coming up is the shortage or inconsistency of the water supply. We need to understand why this continues to happen. We have to sit down with the people responsible for the water system, ask the right questions, and find out where the problem is coming from. Just as importantly, we have to keep the people informed. They deserve to understand what is happening, what is being done about it, and when they can expect things to improve.
“I have always believed that our city and our district can do even better.”
You recently voiced your support for the anti-dynasty bill. But some lawmakers argue that some versions of the bill are more lenient than others, and others have pointed out the irony of certain congressmen supporting such a measure. To you, what makes a good, watertight anti-dynasty bill?
Well, the reason why I support [the anti-dynasty bill] is the system of checks and balances. Let’s say all the elected positions are held by one family; checks and balances are not implemented. Usually, whatever they decide on is approved automatically because nobody opposes it. Nobody checks whether the projects or the funding that they need or that they want to use would be really beneficial for the people of the city.
How do you plan to navigate Congress and make the most of your role?
Definitely, one of the first things I would have to do is learn the system in Congress. I will educate myself as quickly as possible, especially with so many things happening in the country and in the political landscape. We are also approaching the 2028 presidential election, so the next few years will be very important. It is necessary to listen, observe, and understand the direction Congress is taking. I would also make it a point to learn from the sitting congressmen and understand the plans and measures being discussed.
But at the end of the day, my question will always be: How will this benefit the people of Dasmariñas? I want to make sure that whatever I learn and whatever opportunities are available in Congress can be translated into something meaningful for my city and our people.
What’s at stake for the district in the upcoming special elections?
The number one thing at stake is proper and good representation in Congress. We have to have one who can address, who can give in, or who can bring in projects here for the people of Dasmariñas. We really have to have good representation in Congress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rex Mangubat is a veteran public servant from Dasmariñas, Cavite. He served as a municipal councilor from 2004 to 2010, a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan from 2010 to 2016, and vice mayor of Dasmariñas from 2016 to 2025. During his time in Cavite’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan, he also headed the provincial Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations.
Aside from Rex Mangubat, other candidates for Cavite’s fourth district representative include incumbent Dasmariñas Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga, Marvin Opamin Dupal-ag, Leysander Aguilar Ordenes, and Jacinto “Jesse” Bautista Frani Jr., who ran against Kiko Barzaga in the 2025 congressional race and lost by a close margin.
The special election for Cavite’s fourth district representative will be held on August 29. According to Comelec, a winner is expected to be declared the following day, August 30.
The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges found Kiko Barzaga guilty of disorderly behavior and violating the House Code of Conduct, leading to his expulsion in June 2026.
According to Rex Mangubat, Dasmariñas faces issues in its healthcare and water supply. He says that with a population nearing one million, the demand for basic healthcare in the city is high. In visiting communities and relocation sites around the city, he also observed inconsistencies and shortages in water supply.
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