Sharon Cuneta shrugs off rumored political plans

MANILA, Philippines – Sharon Cuneta denies reports claiming she has plans of running for public office in 2016.

In an interview with the press last December, Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III revealed he is considering Sharon to run as Pasay City mayor in the upcoming national elections. Sotto is the husband of Helen Gambao, Sharon’s aunt.

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But during the press conference after her contract signing with ABS-CBN recently, Sharon said, laughing:  “How long has that rumor been going around? 30 years?”

She further quipped, “Sige, para maiba lang ang sagot—sige, baka.”

Turning serious, Sharon shrugged off the rumor, saying, “Seriously, at this point in my life at 49, I have been there, done that. If I feel I’ll be able to impact more lives in a positive way in another field, I will have to think about it.”

She continued, “Pero at this point, artista ako e, mang-aawit ako. There’s nothing that brings me greater joy apart from my children than performing in front of people.”

“It’s a give and take love affair,” Sharon said of performing. “As much as you put out, you get the same if not more.”

Sharon signed a program contract with ABS-CBN on Monday, returning to the network after being with TV5 from 2011 to 2014. She will be part of the jury in the ABS-CBN show “Your Face Sounds Familiar,” which will premiere on March 14.

Asked if she regrets moving to TV5, she replied: “I can't say I regret a hundred percent because I made friends in the other station, I was able to do comedy and I met fun loving co-stars. Pero I was a fish out of water. Tapos parang pagpasok ko kanina dito, I'm breathing again normally ... parang nakauwi ka na, nakakahinga ka na ulit."

RELATED: Sharon Cuneta returns to ABS-CBN

The 49-year-old star said she’s excited to act again and even start in her first teleserye with ABS-CBN.

“I see myself doing a teleserye. At this point, I am in the best hand I've ever been in. I am in the hands of people who care for me, love me, I'm very grateful for this opportunity. I'm happy to be back. I know what ever I will be doing will be well thought of,” Sharon said.