The lure of politics: Some celebrities shun the circus

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—“Paano kung manalo (What if I win)?”

The late comedy king Dolphy (Rodolfo Quizon) wasn’t joking when he gave this reply to persistent suggestions for him to ride on his popularity to run for public office.

The chances of him winning were high.

According to a study done in 2015 and submitted to the UP Diliman Journals, the probability of celebrities winning if they seek election to public office was highest among the poor.

In their 2015 study, Clarissa David and Jenna Mae Atun said “it is common in the Philippines for celebrities […] to run for public office and win.”

This, “even with little experience in political life and limited education.”

It said “celebrities aspiring to be politicians can have an advantage going into an election, the clearest of which is basic name recall or familiarity with a broad spectrum of voters.”

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan/INQUIRER.net

According to results of the study, which examined empirical correlates of voter preference for celebrity presidential and vice presidential candidates, wealthier respondents are less likely to vote for celebrities.

But the number of voters belonging to upper economic strata was much lower than those in the lower rung of the economic ladder.

Only 16 percent from Class ABC said they would vote for a celebrity for both president and vice president, compared to 24 percent from Class D and 31 percent from Class E.

Some 34 percent from Class ABC directly said that they would not vote for a celebrity for president or vice president, way higher than the 21 percent from Class D and 12 percent from Class E.

‘Readiness’ needed

Maria Ela Atienza, professor of political science at UP Diliman, pointed out that she “appreciates celebrities who understand that a national political post requires a different skill set.”

She said that “they need to hone these skills first if ever they want to earn these positions.”

This, as she explained that “going for a national post without understanding the responsibilities or without any preparation is a sign of arrogance,” stressing that “the training ground should be at the local level.”

“Popularity may win votes for a celebrity, but readiness for the job is a different thing,” she said when asked to give her thoughts about the influx of celebrities and online personalities who filed certificates of candidacy (COC).

READ: Veteran pols, vloggers among early birds to file COC

The Philippines is home to almost 115 million people, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. At least 17.54 million are considered poor while 2.07 million are jobless.

As pointed out in the UP study those with higher educational attainment are less likely to select a celebrity for both president and vice president, with only 11 percent of college graduates selecting a celebrity for both offices.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan/INQUIRER.net

The 2020 PSA census showed that 38.6 percent of all persons aged five and over reached or completed high school; 29.5 percent had reached or completed elementary; and 23.4 percent had reached or completed college.

Helping people

Like Dolphy, actor Gerald Anderson declined politics, too, saying that he would not jump into something that he has not yet learned “because people’s lives are at stake.”

In an interview with broadcaster Jessica Soho, Dolphy had this to say about entering politics:

“Doon nga ako natatakot, kasi baka manalo ako. Kung talagang papasok ako riyan, talagang magsisilbi ka sa bayan. Kung mapapabayaan ko, huwag na,” he said.

(That is what I am afraid of, because I might win. If I am really determined to enter politics, I have to serve the people. But if I’ll be neglectful eventually, I’d say no.)

Dolphy died in 2012 staying true to his commitment to shun politics.

But over a decade later, his statements will regain relevance as celebrities and online personalities jumped into the political pool, adding to the 43,033 individuals who filed COCs for the elections in May next year.

READ: Gardo Versoza recalls Dolphy’s remarks on joining politics as reminder to celebs

As tracked by INQFocus, over 70 TV and online personalities formalized their election bids from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8, filing their COCs for some of the 18,271 national and local elective posts that will be available.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan/INQUIRER.net

Most had said they want to be of help, especially to the poorest Filipinos, with some stressing there is a lot to be done. “Walang magugutom. Lahat ng mahihirap ay mabibigyan ng trabaho,” they said.

Atienza explained that there is nothing wrong with celebrities seeking an elective post “as we have very basic requirements.”

However, she told INQUIRER.net that it would be wrong for celebrities who filed COC “to assume that it is easy to serve the country,” saying that “they should actually prove that they are not ignorant and stupid.”

“[These] are the stereotypes of celebrities who become politicians,” she said.

Close to 15 celebrities and online personalities are seeking a Senate seat, including reelectionists Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid and aspirants Willie Revillame, Philip Salvador, Jimmy Bondoc, Willie Ong, and Erwin and Ben Tulfo.

READ: More celebrities, beauty queens seek public office, reelection in 2025 polls

Some are eyeing a seat at the House of Representatives, like Marco Gumabao for Camarines Sur’s fourth district and Ejay Falcon for Oriental Mindoro’s second district. Nora Aunor is a nominee of the party-list People’s Champ Guardians.

Election win

Some popular figures, however, are staying away from the political circus.

Back in 2022, comedian and TV host Vice Ganda explained the reason he declined an offer to seek public office: “Not because you can win, you will run.”

READ: Vice Ganda reveals he refused offer to run in politics: ‘Ano, ipapahamak ko ang Pilipinas?’

“I can win, I feel like I can win […] But for me, at this point, I’m not good at politics. So why should I go there? What, to put the Philippines at risk?” Vice Ganda stressed.

READ: Veteran pols, vloggers among early birds to file COC

Anderson said he didn’t have to be in public office to help people, which he did at the height of flooding recently.

“Nagagamit ko naman ‘yung platform ko (I am already using my platform),” Anderson had said in an interview.

READ: Gerald Anderson says no to politics, vows to use influence for greater good

Previously, he stressed that his “power and opportunity” as a celebrity is already enough to make a right impact: “If you really want to help, the impact, power, and opportunities are there.”

Actress and content creator Ivana Alawi had the same sentiment, saying that “I know nothing about politics and lawmaking [and] if I were to enter such, I must take lessons first for three to four years.”

“I don’t want to put our country at risk,” she said.

READ: Ivana Alawi not inclined to join politics: I don’t want to put our country at risk

As pointed out in the UP study, “popular discourse about the determinants of voter preference for celebrities revolves mainly around social or economic class and education.”

It stressed that in the Philippines, “poorness” and “poverty” always play a central role in political discourse, with appeals to the masses indicated even in the simplest political messages.