What happens if they win?

Just as oil does not mix with water, artists in show business wanting to be in politics tends to be a bad mix. Before citing the reasons, let us look at who are in the running and wanting to become public servants.

Senate seat seekers are TV personalities Ben Tulfo, host of BITAG TV, and his brother, currently a partylist Congressman. If the Tulfo brothers emerge victorious, they will join their brother and incumbent senator Raffy Tulfo in the Upper House. 

Also in the senatorial race is Batang Quiapo’s Supremo Lito Lapid, seeking a fourth term. The Titanic Action Star Bong Revilla is out for another bid. Former dramatic-actor-turned-action-star Philip Salvador is another wannabe. And, yes, billionaire Manny Pacquio is posing a Senate comeback.

One of the pillars of the longest-running noontime variety show, Eat Bulaga’s Tito Sotto, and his ‘will to win’ Willie Revillame are also eyeing the plum posts.

In the Batasang Pambansa, the most stellar contenders include reelectionist Arjo Atayde of Quezon City 1st District; award-winning Aiko Melendez out to for another bout as 5th District Quezon City Councilor; Ejay Falcon for 2nd District representative of Oriental Mindoro; Jolo Revilla for another round as the Cavite 1st District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, wife of Senator Bong Revilla and mother of the young master Jolo, seeking reelection as Cavite 2nd District Representative; and Marco Gumabao vies as a representative for the 4th district of Camarines Sur. 

For the partylists, social media personality Diwata, whose real name is Deo Balbuena, desires to be the fourth nominee for the Vendors.

Local front contenders, Vilma Santos-Recto with her sons Luis Manzano and Ryan Recto for Batangas governor, vice governor and congressman; and father and son Isko Moreno and Joaquin Domagoso are out for positions in Manila.

Others on the bring-on-the-bling-bling campaign are Enzo Pineda, QC 5th District Councilor position; basketball superstar James Yap, a second term; Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez for another term; and yes this enumeration will not be complete if we do not include beauty and wellness maven Rosemarie Tan Pamulaklakin also known as Rosmar who aims to bag a councilor seat for the first district of Manila.

What then?

I hope these actors who want to be public servants and dream of higher offices remember why the late great Comedy King Dolphy never entered politics. He said in an interview with the late Ricky Lo: “Madaling tumakbo eh; paano kung manalo (It’s easy to run for office; what then if you win)?”

When an actor wins a senatorial seat, their main duties and responsibilities are the creation of laws to help and serve the Filipinos. Exercise the oversight function to probe government officials. Oversee the budget of the country. Serve as the judge if there are impeachment trials involving higher officials like the President or a Chief Justice. Some senators are part of the Commission on Appointments that does the “check and balance” when the President appoints an official. The Senate has the right to oppose “martial law” or the suspension of the “writ of habeas corpus.” As part of Congress, senators have to make sure that the President does not abuse his/her power.

Many actors have been duly elected to executive, national and local posts, and looking at their main responsibilities, assess how many of them fulfilled them. And to those who promised they would bring back the glory and golden age of Philippine cinema — what happened?

The entertainment industry is among the most heavily-taxed. Yet, there are no bills presented with actors in office as authors of bills to tackle this fact. No laws come to mind that had actors championing tax deductions, incentives or reprieves for the movie industry.

In terms of box office earnings and the number of movies dwindling every year, all the actors who have won in the past and presently holding positions pinpoint all the external factors that are causing all these, but internally, there is no document that details what must be done with regard to the matter.

There are no laws establishing a commission to take the lead and put funds to ensure quality film outputs that are world-class in terms of artistic, creative, narrative, technical and widening the scope and reach of the Philippine entertainment market. Still not a priority.

Reminders

Please do not vote for any celebrity who promises that they will be of assistance to the poorest of the poor and will end their misery and sufferings — empty promises made to be broken.

Yes, they may give occasional assistance but do they even know the bigger picture to make legislation that will be of aid to make the economy recover and robust, end the reign of greed and rampant corruption, strengthen the depreciating peso, put to a stop the cost escalation of basic goods and services, explain the truth about supply and demand, minimize the borrowing and the loans and address, the great divide between the elite, middle class, marginalized and destitute.

To these actors-turned-politicians, those before them and currently seated — what are the tangible changes and movements, or concrete actions and laws that materialized to benefit the showbiz industry?

Please do not vote for any of these personalities who say they fear God. They do not. If they truly fear God, then their morals must be intact, not easily corrupted and swayed by money, power, and that debts of gratitude.Please do not vote for any of these stars who danced their way to your hearts with easy to remember jingles. Please rise above fandom.

The political stage does not need their acting skills and good looks — what it needs are men and women with conscience, honesty, integrity, knowledge, morality and takes public service to heart and treats it as a vocation.