Celebs running for office is a comeback trend for 2022

It seems like registering to vote isn’t the only “in thing” among celebrities for the upcoming national elections in May 2022.

In recent months, a number of personalities have expressed their interest to run for public office in their respective hometowns or places of interest.

Comebacking TV loveteam Bobby Andrews and Angelu de Leon are both running as councilors in the upcoming elections. Angelu is running in the Pasig second district under Mayor Vico Sotto’s ticket, and Bobby in the fourth district of Quezon City where he was born and raised.

Bobby cited that after his experience as a board member in the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), he has set his sights on his own district.

“I realized that I could make some changes or make the system more efficient and improve already existing services,” he said.

Bobby also has a thing to say to those detractors putting down showbiz personalities who decide to run for office. “I realized that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and if that is what their perception is of what is an artist or isang artista, that’s their opinion. I just want to change their minds… I’m awakened with the fact that if I win, it’s not because I’m Bobby Andrews eh, it will be because of what I’m doing.”

Another veteran star who is about to run is Ilongga Claudine Barretto. But she has her sights on running as a councilor in Olongapo City under the ticket of her manager Arnold Vegafria, who is joining the mayoralty race.

The talent manager clarified though that Claudine’s grandfather was once the governor in the province of Zambales, which makes her connected to Olongapo.

Ejay Falcon will also try his luck as vice governor in Oriental Mindoro. Former child actor Nash Aguas, meanwhile, did his oath-taking last Thursday as he will run as councilor in the first district of Cavite.

Arjo Atayde has been active in Quezon City and according to the grapevine, the actor will run under the administration party of Mayor Joy Belmonte. Could it be the explanation for his active donations of service vehicles to the city that the local government’s official social media page gave him a special shoutout?

Meanwhile, we had an intimate chat recently with Tito Boy Abunda wherein he opened up about the two offers he got to run for Senate in the upcoming elections. “With humility, ako naman ay nagsabi sa kanila na hindi naman ako handa. Hindi sarado ang aking pintuan. Hindi sarado sa pulitika… Ayoko rin gastusin ang aking hard-earned money para sa pangangampanya.”

Tito Boy is actively supporting the Ang Probinsyano partylist, explaining that being a probinsyano is his core and will forever be who he is.

More often than not, when celebrities run for office, there is a preconceived notion already about their intent in serving the public and their ability to actually separate their high-profile persona to that of a supposedly simple public servant. Being an expert and trusted communications and branding trainer of some of the most high-profile politicians in office today, Tito Boy has a tip for the personalities who will try their luck in the upcoming elections.

“Mag-aral ka. Short courses like public ad (administration). Mayroon mga short courses online… for as long as your heart is in the right place, marami nyan ay natututunan. If people will continue to diminish the capabilities of movie stars, we will continue to elect many movie stars who are not qualified as many of them are qualified.”