Celebrities in Politics

Manny Pacquiao, Richard Gomez and Cesar Montano: what do they have in common aside from being famous and influential? Simple. All of them were, shall we say, initially unclear or undecided as to what government position they wanted to be elected into. In my humble opinion, erratic decision-making like what they have done is like having no "word of honor" at all. I mean, how can you expect them to strongly and faithfully initiate whatever their platforms are with all that "urong-sulong"?

Pacman was first rumored to be gunning for the vice-mayoralty seat of Manila, as the incumbent Mayor Lito Atienza, who's like a father to the "People's Champ," wanted him to be the running mate of his son, Ali.

Pacquiao then dismissed such possibility, pledging support instead in whatever he is capable of. And then last month, he was reported to be eyeing the top post of the General Santos City Hall. Most recently, he surprised everybody when he announced he wants to be elected congressman in one of the districts of Cotabato.

Richard said last year he wanted to be governor of Bulacan. But no, he suddenly changed his mind and hoped to be included in the administration's Team Unity bets for the senate. He claimed he has friends from around the country who convinced him to run for a national post because he would be able to help and reach out more to those who are in need. What a classic excuse!

Yes, there were already reports that Cesar was eyeing a Senate seat but his earlier pronouncements seemed to indicate he was not yet ready for politics. His career-and penetrating Hollywood-was his main goal. Later on, talks would then abound that he would be challenging Bohol governor Erico Aumentado, and though inexperienced in governance, his chances at wining were greater because of his ongoing sports programs in the various towns of the beautiful province widely known as the home of the famous Chocolate Hills, the mystic Loboc River and the world's smallest monkey, the tarsier. Reports also said that Aumentado, a close administration ally, would do his best to have Cesar included in the Team Unity senatorial slate, so in that way, he could allegedly remain in his post.

But then Cesar signed with the Kapuso network and was set to play as mentor of Richard Gutierrez in "Lupin." Cesar's inclusion in the said television series shut down speculations he was joining the political race. Suddenly there was a twist. On the day of the pictorial for the TV series' promo blitz, he met up with some people who escorted him to Malacañang where he had a lengthy talk with no less than President Gloria Arroyo. The rest is history as Cesar is now part of the admin's senatorial lineup.

Well, Pacman could very well change his mind, not push through with his political aspirations, but concentrate on his boxing career instead.

Nevertheless, what does this suggest? That they have changeable minds, they can be persuaded at the last minute and they are in a hurry to get to the top. They may deny it, but everything suggests that somebody powerful is influencing them, backing them and telling them to just go ahead. And if this is indeed the case, aren't we seeing the making of other puppets in the Senate and Congress, not for the good of the greater majority but to satisfy the interested few?

Oh well, in politics there are no permanent friends only permanent vested interests. But they are young and are new blood; their idealism is burning to the fullest. Do they have to follow the traditional brand of politics instead of setting a new trend?

I have nothing against stars and celebrities running for public office. Of course it's everybody's right to be elected and to serve in a democratic country like the Philippines. But at least they should be fair enough to pick the right post. Governance after all is not like shooting a movie wherein the actor can have as many takes until the director is satisfied. Public service is not like the make-believe world of movies wherein a re-shoot can easily be done when there's something wrong with the acting execution of characters or that problems can be remedied through editing and special effects.

Yes, we have former actors now Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid and Bong Revilla. Deposed president Joseph Estrada became the most powerful man in the Philippines but he climbed up the political ladder slowly, patiently and surely. He started out as mayor of San Juan, then senator, vice-president and then president. In short, he thoroughly learned the ropes. Jinggoy was first a mayor of San Juan. Bong and Lito were governors of Pampanga and Cavite, respectively. They all started from the local arena before going national. Why can't Richard and Cesar do the same? Does winning best acting awards make them best senators? I hope they are really running for the best interests of their fellow Filipinos, and not out of personal interest or worse, out of greed for power and hunger for influence.

If they really mean to help and serve, they don't have to run and spend around P200 million for the campaign just to secure that post. They can actually directly use that amount for a sincere and concrete act of help even outside politics.

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See you at SM Entertainment Plaza at 2:30 this afternoon for the taping of GMA-7 Cebu's "Oi! Show Nato Ni" where I would be among the press people who would put all five Pop Sensation Showdown finalists on a hotseat, subjecting them to a no-holds barred interview. This is going to be their first encounter with the local entertainment press. Will they be confident enough to answer with all sincerity questions to be thrown at them? Watch out for it later or if not watch the airing of "Oi! Show Nato Ni" tomorrow 11am over the Kapuso channel. By the way I'll be doing the honors of prying details out of the grand finalists Melecia Carciller, Lady Michelle Arizabal, Arceli Bullo, Jaymenife Ycong, and John Rennon Tan along with my editor Nathalie Tomada, plus Troy Ciar and Sir Dodong Morallo of Superbalita and Jonas Panerio of Cebu Daily News.

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