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You are here: Home > Celebrities > What do you think about stars in politics?

Stephanie Castillo, Contributor

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May 12, 2010

What do you think about stars in politics?

With what's looking like a showbiz landslide in the recent elections, give us your opinion on celebrities who try their hand at government. By Stephanie Castillo

13 Comments
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According to this Pep.ph article, showbiz personalities are doing quite well for themselves at the May 2010 elections.

Partial official tallies rank action stars Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Ejercito first and second, respectively, in the senatorial race; so far, actor Tito Sotto has also come in at 9th and former action star Lito Lapid at 11th.

In the gubernatorial race, actress Vilma Santos has all but won the Batangas City governorship, while former actor ER Ejercito (Erap Estrada’s nephew) is leading in Laguna.

Congress is finding new celebrity additions with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao for Sarangani and TV host Lucy Torres-Gomez for Ormoc. Lucy recently took over for her husband, actor Richard Gomez, in the congressional race for the district of Ormoc after he was disqualified based on “lack of residency.”

Actor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista has also just been proclaimed the new mayor of Quezon City, while actors Christopher de Leon and Gary Estrada have made it as Board Members in the districts of Batangas and Quezon Province, respectively.

On the other hand, vice-presidential candidate and actor Edu Manzano and gubernatorial candidate and actor Cesar Montano were among the several showbiz entries who lost their bids in the election.

(Photo courtesy of Pep.ph)

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Poll Question:

To have so many celebrities win in one election is certainly something of note, so we’d like to ask: what do you think about stars in politics?

I have no problem with it. As long as they are well-intentioned and qualified, celebrities should run for office.
It’s not a big deal—they’re as good as anyone else out there.
It’s ridiculous—what exactly do these people know about public service?
It’s just plain greedy—they have so much sway as showbiz personalities and yet they still want to have governing power!
I honestly don’t care.

Tags: cesar montano, Vilma Santos, lito lapid, tito sotto, jinggoy ejercito, Bong Revilla, candidates, showbiz, elections, Manny Pacquiao, lucy torres-gomez, richard gomez, herbert bistek bautista, christopher de leon, gary estrada, edu manzano, er ejercito

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Malou May 12 2010 @ 08:38am Report Abuse

There's nothing wrong with actors being in politics as long as they can get the job done.
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April May 12 2010 @ 09:06am Report Abuse

I have nothing against Lucy Torres, but I still can't figure why she entered politics. I have a feeling that she'll just become a "puppet of Goma". It was Goma who first thought of running for Ormoc. lucy replaced him just because he is not qualified.

I think the law must be revised, I have nothing against actors/actresses turned politicians. I have seen how some of them turned out to be great leaders(like Vilma Santos & Tito Sotto). The law must indicate additional qualifications for those aspiring to become leaders of our country, we deserve to have a leader with potentials & skills in leading the people.
Last modified A long time ago
qc_gurl May 12 2010 @ 09:38am Report Abuse

well, ara mina didn't win. :p most of the stars you mentioned have a history in politics anyway. i guess it really depends on the position they run for and the maturity of the voters. goma didn't win for senate before but his wife won for congress. panapanahon lang talaga.
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Cathrina Lim May 12 2010 @ 10:14am Report Abuse

I have no problem with any celebrity running for office as long as he/she is qualified, meaning he/she has a good educational background (college graduate!)that can back-up his foundation to run the country. And I think these celebrities should also take a break from the lime light the moment they decide to run for office to help them focus on their new-found career.
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Lisa May 12 2010 @ 10:36am Report Abuse

We have a long way to go before the citizens of this country start voting based on principles, ethics and platforms of the candidates (i.e. with more maturity).

Majority of Filipinos vote for people whose names they can recall despite the fact those same candidates were already booted out due to corruption, deported due to abuses to the country and still claim their family has done "nothing wrong", they have not done anything during their previous time in office or they have so many corruptions issues that they refuse to face.

So people will continue to vote for celebrities despite the fact they have no qualifications except popularity. May God save the Philippines.
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Christine May 12 2010 @ 12:22pm Report Abuse

Majority of the population is uneducated and will base their votes on people they see and yes, whose name they recall. Seriously, what do these celebrities know? Most of them are not even qualified to even run for office! I am not generalizing all celebrities but most of them are just running because they have nothing else to do with their lives (laos na kasi or pa laos na and they need another way to earn money na in a way galmorous pa din sila tignan) It is just depressing...I just wish they would make a law that if a celebrity or anyone as a matter-of-fact would run for office, have to have a good educational background, and have a certain list of things that they should have done for the country in their own way for them to be even considered to be running for office!
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ube canopin May 12 2010 @ 12:45pm Report Abuse

whatever the status of the candidates in our society we all have to spare them the chance. especially if we really don't know them. they may have the capabilities other than acting. and it's our job to watch out to what they're real intentions is it to serve the country to just be on displays or steal.
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anne May 12 2010 @ 02:07pm Report Abuse

Ban those surveys & survey firms! They just confuse people!
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claire May 13 2010 @ 02:14pm Report Abuse

It's just sad that there are actors who use their popularity to get into politics for personal ambition. I am not saying that all of them have this in mind, maybe there are actors who truly have a heart to serve the people, and its an advantage for them that they already have a name. It's just hard to distinguish who has a clean intention and who's into personal ambition. Whatever, I think we must be an intelligent voter.
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chloe May 13 2010 @ 11:03pm Report Abuse

No problem at all. As long as they keep their promise to be of public service. They should do they job!
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Concerned Citizen May 16 2010 @ 09:45pm Report Abuse

There's nothing wrong with celebrities turned politicians because they're being idolized by their fans, but not in the person of Richard Gomez. He was the WORST "politician" I've seen and heard on stage during their meeting de avance. He was calling his political opponent MGA BUANG! MGA TANGA! after which he dance to the tune of Charing nailad ko sa bu-ing, imitating his political rival. Is this the kind of celebrity we idolized and admired! VERY RUDE! VERY ARROGANT! Now I know the reason why Jinggoy Estrada punched him at his nape a few years back.
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teresa May 21 2010 @ 12:29am Report Abuse

ok lang ang importante magampanana nila ang kanilang mga tungkulin.
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crazybeauti_ful Jun 23 2010 @ 10:38pm Report Abuse

there have been celebs who have proven that they have what it takes to be a good public servant, no question about that. i just don't get why some celebs keep on getting voted even if they have not really done anything - and this is actually both frustrating and irritating.
Last modified A long time ago