When it seems like everyone in show business is eager to join in on the political fray —as evidenced in the last elections where in a good number of celebrities were actually successful in their political bids, both re-electionists and first-timers— there are those who are taking a moment to assess their own true intentions.
While vote canvassing is still ongoing, the media wastes no time in asking the Presidential front-runner Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III about his choices for his government. However, the ideal cabinet members that he envisions—or that other people envision for him—might not be readily achieved.
Boy Abunda hearts showbiz
One of those reported this early as Aquino’s choice to head the Department of Tourism (DoT) is showbiz talk show host and celebrity manager, Boy Abunda.
Abunda may be a close friend to the Aquino family, and certainly to Aquino’s youngest sibling, Kris, with whom he shares hosting duties, but Aquino actually has a more logical reason for preferring to have the “King of Talk” as part of his cabinet.
“He’s an icon in the country. And even more so for his ability to communicate, to understand the audience and to be able to propound and advance a particular set of ideas,” Aquino tells "TV Patrol" on May 31.
A former Manny Villar supporter, Abunda switched loyalties as soon as Aquino announced his presidential bid. In the same "TV Patrol" report, Abunda said that while he is thankful for the trust of the Aquino family, he felt that he wasn’t ready to leave show business—at least not yet.
Abunda feels he will be more effective in helping Aquino’s leadership by giving him advice that is devoid of any personal or political bias and agenda, since he does have a personal relationship with the soon-to-be President. And this he feels he can still do from his cushy position within the pantheons of Philippine show business, which he clearly loves.
For his part, Aquino tells GMA News he knows there’s a slight problem with appointing Abunda—the latter may have to divest his earnings as a showbiz personality to what government officials make in a year. Clearly, there is a disparity there that may not be easy to resolve.
Rockin’ Robin
The Bad Boy of Philippine Movies, Robin Padilla, isn’t new to "peace talks." While he clearly laments not being able to help forge peace between “Wowowee” host Willie Revillame and DZMM radio personality, Jobert Sucaldito, Padilla hasn’t just used his affable personality to fix showbiz squabbles.
Truth is, if there’s anything that Islam has taught him, he tells ANC, it’s being a peacemaker. Padilla has been incarcerated for three years for illegal possession of firearms in the '90s and this was when he converted to Islam. His most high-profile peacemaking mission was when, in 2000, he was asked to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf, which then had 54 prisoners in captivity.
“Ang Islam ay kapayapaan,” he clarifies, disputing something he said he read on Twitter about the religion promoting violence. But despite his ideas on peace, Padilla tells “TV Patrol” on May 31 that he is not keen on becoming a member of the Peace Panel for Mindanao, should the incoming government ask.
“Matagal na po ako naging part ng negosasyon diyan sa Mindanao, wala naman hong pinupuntahan eh. ‘Wag na ho natin paglolokohin pa ang ating sarili. Talaga pong ang problema diyan sa Mindanao, ang makaka resolba lang po niyan ay mga taga Mindanao din,” the "Idol ng Bayan" stated without mincing words.
Padilla’s ideas for the country will certainly rock the status quo, including autonomy for Mindanao, and Feredalism. “Kailangan ng Pilipinas maging Federal… Ibig sabihin, [ang] Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao ay [dapat] magkaroon ng kanya kanyang gobiyerno. Hayan nating na taga-Mindanao ang mag resolba ng Muslim Mindanao issue.”
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