Let the “Good Vice” Roll - Batangas Vice Governor Marc Leviste

Batangas Vice Governor Marc Leviste on big dreams, his journey from man to dad, and the humble honor of passing on the torch.

One can easily imagine Marc Leviste’s husky voice as belonging to someone meant for the stage. “If I weren’t a Vice Governor, I would probably be a rockstar,” he muses, “…or a professional golfer - and that’s kinda the same thing."

So we asked the fun-loving, adventure-seeking, hardworking Vice Governor of one of the Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations – how he manages to live both roles as father of 3 children and of 3-million constituents, and blending both lifestyles into his unique form of leadership. We were graced with this interview in no other than his natural habitat, their family-owned golf course in Batangas, the 18-hole world-renowned Summit Point Golf & Country Club. It was a pleasure spending an afternoon with the 43-year old statuesque politician and his children in the midst of the rich greenery of Lipa City

If you win the presidency, the country improves and we invent a time machine! You volunteer as the first participant to go into the past, but cannot change anything due to temporal paradox issues. Who would you meet and what would you ask them (top 3, any country)?

Wow, it’s got to be more than 3! Top of mind would be JFK, my grandfather Batangas Governor Feliciano Leviste, and Senator Ninoy Aquino. Other notable mentions include Gat Apolinario Mabini, Chairman Mao Zedong, Che Guevara, at marami pang iba! All of them have changed the course of history in their own right. It would be an adventure to go ride a time machine and witness these events as they unfolded, and if given a chance to interview them, I will simply ask if they would change any of their decisions or would they have wanted it any other way.

Six years ago, you expressed a dream - to become President of the Philippines - is this still the case now? What political platform would you run on and who would you choose as your Vice President?

Yes, the dream is very much alive. My goal is to figure out how I can create the most impact on the Filipino and the Philippines, and do whatever it takes to make it happen. I am choosing Ms. Kris Aquino to be my Vice President or I can also be her Veep (if she wishes). I believe we’d make a great tandem. By the way, I think we’re both single. Alike!

Armed with your knowledge, you are chosen to give a speech to your alma mater - what would its title be? What advice would it contain to the graduating batch of 2021 (a post-covid world)?

The title would be: YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE (AND ONCE IS ALL YOU NEED)! I will advice them to Explore, Experience, Execute. Live life to the fullest no matter the odds, and you will never regret the journey nor wish for a second or third chance to life, because once will definitely be more than enough. 

Shifting gears, your political detractors (inevitably), point out that you might be setting things up for a dictatorship! What is your stance on political dynasties?

I’m not against the idea of having or seeing family members serve in government. In any sector (not just politics) or in any situation, there are pros and cons whenever numerous family members get into the same boat. Based on my experience, it is more beneficial than detrimental. In my case, I am the only one in our clan serving the province today; but if the time comes when the next generation Levistes choose to follow our footsteps, I will be happy to mentor and guide them through, and with great pride, pass on the baton of leadership to them.

That said, what would you consider the number one factor towards winning in politics? Is it performance? The correct allies? Listening to the people?

It’s all of those combined, plus luck and destiny.

Coming in back to the here and now - what is your political dream for Batangas in the short, medium and long-term? Who would you choose (among your kids?) to take over your seat?

My dream is the immediate recovery of Batangas post Taal Volcano eruption, African Swine Fever crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. Moving forward, I also dream of a society with minimal poverty (if not completely alleviated). In the long run, I will aspire to make Batangas the #1 province in the country in terms of education, economy and liveability.

As for my kids, I have always provided for and supported them in their interests and passions in life. If any of them intends to pursue politics, I would gladly and proudly help them achieve this dream. Ika nga sa amin sa Batangas: “Ibigay ang hilig nang walang ligalig.”

More about family - what familial habits/traditions would you say are part-and-parcel of political families, which non-political families are sometimes surprised at? Bodyguards? Always voting? Being one on political issues?

I don’t think there’s any standard or tradition. Now more than ever, people have various opinions on matters that affect their lives and the society, and their ideas may differ even if they belong to the same “political family”. I, for one have no bodyguards, and none in my family was ever used to having them. But, if Ms. Kris (Aquino) would need one, I can apply as her bodyguard so I can secure our future...as President and Vice President.

How do you communicate to your children, the responsibility of public office? Do you actively encourage them to go into it or is it something you hope they grow to love?

I simply walk it like I talk it. I don’t really dictate how they should live. I simply do what I have to do, and let them watch me do it. I must admit, I am very blessed to have children who are passionate about public service, and as a father, I want to give my children a good chance at everything that they aspire for.

What values do you teach your children, foremost?

Trust, Honor, Loyalty is the key; can’t go wrong with these. It’s what my dad taught me, it’s what I live by, and it should help my children in the future. As with their siblings, I also impart to them the value of always watching each other’s back. If it worked for me, it should work for them; hindi ako nang-iiwan! I feel that I could either be one’s best friend, or one’s worst enemy

How do you cope with your kids being millennials/zoomers?

I am fortunate that I can easily relate to their needs, demands, and interests, not only because of our small age gap, but more so, because of our bond. I remind them to always pray, just as my mom taught me and my brothers when we were growing up. I believe that everything starts and ends with God - otherwise anything else is superficial.

As an acting executive of Batangas, your functions are akin to being a father for your people. How does your role as a biological father overlap/crossover to your constituents? In what ways do you think of people as persons you’re responsible for? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you gave too much?

I’m not the “acting” executive of the province in any way, shape or form. My position is co-equal to the Governor, and my main responsibility is to lead and administer the legislative branch of the Provincial Government. Governor (Dodo) Mandanas is the father of our province, and as his “co-parent”, I understand the value of teamwork to get things done. I also understand that becoming a father means you have to be a role model for your children, and be someone they can look up to. So I guess the Spiderman principle is true: “With great power comes great responsibility

What is your ultimate dream for your kids, being their father?

To be the best dad I could ever be, and leave a lasting legacy in their lives. Gusto ko sana, maipagmalaki nila ako sa kanilang magiging mga anak, mga apo, at sa ibang tao, kahit wala na ako sa mundo. Okay din sana kung maipagpapatayo nila ako ng rebulto. Lol! [I just erected one for my father at our family-owned golf course in Lipa which he founded]

If you had the chance to railroad a bill through congress and the senate - what would it be called, what would it do, and how would it benefit the country.

I have a lot in mind, but my top 3 would be: 1) To pave the way for the development of a modern, high-speed railway system that connects Metro Manila and the rest of Southern Luzon to the Province of Batangas, 2) To expand the development and maximize the utilization of the International Port of Batangas and Taal Lake, and 3) To reapportion or redistrict the current First and Third Congressional Districts of Batangas.

All these will be greatly beneficial to Batanguenos and to our stakeholders, while creating a positive impact to nation building. So now you know my first 3 Executive Orders once I become President...let’s do it!

As it turns out, Vice Governor Leviste’s son, Ronin, has taken after his father’s political acumen. We asked this bright young man on his relationship with his dad, growing up. 

“I felt like I could talk to my dad about anything. He’s so well-versed with current events and trends…he can understand and speak the same lingo as my generation,” says Leviste’s eldest son. But that doesn’t mean, though, that they cannot have differing opinions on some issues, just like this interesting bit shared with us. Leviste recalls a time when he openly displayed his admiration for the leadership of the late President Ferdinand Marcos; while Ronin bravely took a stand against the Marcoses. “We deliberately exchanged opposing insights and discussed in length about the Marcos’ history,” Leviste says. He even recalls the time when his son went on stage during an anti-Marcos rally in EDSA, while he went to the Libingan ng Mga Bayani to pay respects to President Marcos; and when they saw each other at home that evening, the elder Leviste just quipped, “We good!” It is at times like these when this dad feels so much pride in seeing how independent and confident, and empathetic and respectful his dependents have become. These are the values that he always wished for them to embrace at an early age.

—alike.com.ph


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