english,
In the Philippines, celebrities can be seen everywhere: on television, on billboards, on social media, and even in the government.
In South East Asia, the Philippines has a staggering amount of celebrities turned government officials. According to an article from Philippine Star, in 2016, 28 celebrities have filed their documents for candidacy. This can be added to the already 20 names who are formerly or currently in a position in the government. They run as barangay captains, mayors, governors, senators and even as the president of the country. Given their fame and fortune, it is easy for them to earn the hearts of the voters. The reputation that the media has given them becomes a great advantage by helping them gain recognition in the country.
Running a country, a city, or even just a barangay is very different from being a celebrity. Sure there are some similarities, such as being noticed in public and having cameras follow you around, but in terms of being a profession, they are quite different. First of all, an aspiring government official must be knowledgeable of the law and how the political system works. Working in a government position requires you to make good decisions that would often refer to these laws and systems. Celebrities, just like anyone who wishes to apply for public office, must make an effort in bettering themselves to be able to do their job well. Being a government official is a tremendous undertaking and requires a lot of commitment. Celebrities will also eventually have to make choices that may affect their current jobs or even separate them entirely from the glamorous show business life they are used to.
They all have different reasons for applying for a position. Some state that they want to serve the people and help make the community better. Others say they are just trying to stay relevant through being elected. Even so, some win the elections but fail to prove that they are more than just celebrities who just want the position to further their fame.
Sen. Tito Sotto for example, is a known personality, not only for his appearances on television, but also for his controversial remarks as a senator. Despite his position in the senate, he has been accused of various misdeeds such as plagiarism, victim blaming, as well as supporting the very recently debated issue with the adjustment of the budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Another celebrity official that has also disappointed the people with his service is Sen. Manny Pacquiao. He is known for his lack of presence in the senate. In fact, according to The Daily Inquirer, Pacquiao is the number one absentee in the Senate House. The Senate House holds three session days in a week and Pacquiao’s absences are equal to five months of Senate House sessions. As the records from the House show, he was not able to attend 60 session days out of 168. He also juggled his responsibilities as a senator with his career as a boxing champion, singer, movie actor, and basketball coach, thus compromising his duty in the House.
In contrast to these unfortunate examples, there are some celebrities turned government officials who have fortunately been able to run their community efficiently and serve the people well. They did this by committing themselves to serving the people and making the effort to educate themselves about the political system. Governor Vilma Santos-Recto is one of the notable politicians who, being the mayor of Lipa City for three consecutive terms, is able to carry out her duties in serving the public. Despite having a career in show business, Governor Santos-Recto has brought changes in Lipa City which made it the city that it is now. Having served Lipa City for nine years is proof itself that people have seen how reliable and trustworthy she is for them to vote her repeatedly. She, then, is called a ‘legacy’ herself for being the first woman elected as the mayor of Lipa City and has not disappointed her people. She is only one of the celebrity politicians who became hands-on in serving the country even if it meant leaving the spotlight for a while.
Before the celebrities run as officials, they should check their motives and reflect on their reasons behind running for office. They must aspire for the position because they want to be reliable and responsible public servants and not as stars in the limelight. They should also be willing to sacrifice their established career as media personalities to devote themselves to the people, the law, and the betterment of the country. They need to be able to give the amount of commitment that the position requires them. Their aim should be to win the hearts of the citizens, not through public appearances and smiles, but through serving truthfully and fulfilling their jobs.
In return, we should also remember that as citizens of the country, we too, have to fulfill our responsibilities to the nation, to never let the glitz and the glam of the stars blind us from voting wisely. //by LM Gacad, Rad Pascual, Rachel Siringan
References:
1. The Philippine Star. (October 16, 2015). LIVE list: Celebrity political aspirants for 2016 elections. Retrieved on September 21, 2017 from http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/10/16/1510996/live-list-celebrity-political-aspirants-2016-elections?nomobile=1
2. Pertierra, A. (January 26, 2017). In the Philippines, celebrity, melodrama, politics deeply entangled. United Press International. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from https://www.upi.com/Top_News/Voices/2017/01/26/In-the-Philippines-celebrity-melodrama-politics-deeply-entangled/2751485443573/
3. Balinton, J. (May 18, 2013). Vilma Santos: Being first woman mayor, governor is legacy enough. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/411467/vilma-santos-being-first-woman-mayor-governor-is-legacy-enough
4. Macapendeg, M. (March 26, 2013). Showbiz and politics: Celebrity candidates in the 2013 elections. GMA News. Retrieved on September 20, 2017 from http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/content/301062/showbiz-and-politics-celebrity-candidates-in-the-2013-elections/story/
5. Tiglao, R. (May 10, 2015). Not a democracy, but celebrity rule. The Manila Times. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from http://www.manilatimes.net/not-a-democracy-but-celebrity-rule/182488/
6. Salaverria, L. (June 26, 2013). Pacquiao no. 1 absentee in the house. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved on September 20, 2017 from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/432811/pacquiao-ledesma-top-house-list-of-absentee-lawmakers
7. Espejo, E. (June 11, 2014). Manny Pacquiao: Jack of all trades. Rappler. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/boxing-mma/pacquiao/60291-manny-pacquiao-jack-all-trades
8. Vitug, M. (February 20, 2004). Celebrity politics : Star power holds perils for the Philippines. The New York Times. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from https://mobile.nytimes.com/2004/02/20/opinion/celebrity-politics-star-power-holds-perils-for-the-philippines.html
9. Wikipedia. List of actor-politicians. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_actor-politicians
Opinion: The PH Government Show
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| Photo Credits: Jem Torrecampo |
In the Philippines, celebrities can be seen everywhere: on television, on billboards, on social media, and even in the government.
In South East Asia, the Philippines has a staggering amount of celebrities turned government officials. According to an article from Philippine Star, in 2016, 28 celebrities have filed their documents for candidacy. This can be added to the already 20 names who are formerly or currently in a position in the government. They run as barangay captains, mayors, governors, senators and even as the president of the country. Given their fame and fortune, it is easy for them to earn the hearts of the voters. The reputation that the media has given them becomes a great advantage by helping them gain recognition in the country.
Running a country, a city, or even just a barangay is very different from being a celebrity. Sure there are some similarities, such as being noticed in public and having cameras follow you around, but in terms of being a profession, they are quite different. First of all, an aspiring government official must be knowledgeable of the law and how the political system works. Working in a government position requires you to make good decisions that would often refer to these laws and systems. Celebrities, just like anyone who wishes to apply for public office, must make an effort in bettering themselves to be able to do their job well. Being a government official is a tremendous undertaking and requires a lot of commitment. Celebrities will also eventually have to make choices that may affect their current jobs or even separate them entirely from the glamorous show business life they are used to.
They all have different reasons for applying for a position. Some state that they want to serve the people and help make the community better. Others say they are just trying to stay relevant through being elected. Even so, some win the elections but fail to prove that they are more than just celebrities who just want the position to further their fame.
Sen. Tito Sotto for example, is a known personality, not only for his appearances on television, but also for his controversial remarks as a senator. Despite his position in the senate, he has been accused of various misdeeds such as plagiarism, victim blaming, as well as supporting the very recently debated issue with the adjustment of the budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Another celebrity official that has also disappointed the people with his service is Sen. Manny Pacquiao. He is known for his lack of presence in the senate. In fact, according to The Daily Inquirer, Pacquiao is the number one absentee in the Senate House. The Senate House holds three session days in a week and Pacquiao’s absences are equal to five months of Senate House sessions. As the records from the House show, he was not able to attend 60 session days out of 168. He also juggled his responsibilities as a senator with his career as a boxing champion, singer, movie actor, and basketball coach, thus compromising his duty in the House.
In contrast to these unfortunate examples, there are some celebrities turned government officials who have fortunately been able to run their community efficiently and serve the people well. They did this by committing themselves to serving the people and making the effort to educate themselves about the political system. Governor Vilma Santos-Recto is one of the notable politicians who, being the mayor of Lipa City for three consecutive terms, is able to carry out her duties in serving the public. Despite having a career in show business, Governor Santos-Recto has brought changes in Lipa City which made it the city that it is now. Having served Lipa City for nine years is proof itself that people have seen how reliable and trustworthy she is for them to vote her repeatedly. She, then, is called a ‘legacy’ herself for being the first woman elected as the mayor of Lipa City and has not disappointed her people. She is only one of the celebrity politicians who became hands-on in serving the country even if it meant leaving the spotlight for a while.
Before the celebrities run as officials, they should check their motives and reflect on their reasons behind running for office. They must aspire for the position because they want to be reliable and responsible public servants and not as stars in the limelight. They should also be willing to sacrifice their established career as media personalities to devote themselves to the people, the law, and the betterment of the country. They need to be able to give the amount of commitment that the position requires them. Their aim should be to win the hearts of the citizens, not through public appearances and smiles, but through serving truthfully and fulfilling their jobs.
In return, we should also remember that as citizens of the country, we too, have to fulfill our responsibilities to the nation, to never let the glitz and the glam of the stars blind us from voting wisely. //by LM Gacad, Rad Pascual, Rachel Siringan
References:
1. The Philippine Star. (October 16, 2015). LIVE list: Celebrity political aspirants for 2016 elections. Retrieved on September 21, 2017 from http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/10/16/1510996/live-list-celebrity-political-aspirants-2016-elections?nomobile=1
2. Pertierra, A. (January 26, 2017). In the Philippines, celebrity, melodrama, politics deeply entangled. United Press International. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from https://www.upi.com/Top_News/Voices/2017/01/26/In-the-Philippines-celebrity-melodrama-politics-deeply-entangled/2751485443573/
3. Balinton, J. (May 18, 2013). Vilma Santos: Being first woman mayor, governor is legacy enough. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/411467/vilma-santos-being-first-woman-mayor-governor-is-legacy-enough
4. Macapendeg, M. (March 26, 2013). Showbiz and politics: Celebrity candidates in the 2013 elections. GMA News. Retrieved on September 20, 2017 from http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/content/301062/showbiz-and-politics-celebrity-candidates-in-the-2013-elections/story/
5. Tiglao, R. (May 10, 2015). Not a democracy, but celebrity rule. The Manila Times. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from http://www.manilatimes.net/not-a-democracy-but-celebrity-rule/182488/
6. Salaverria, L. (June 26, 2013). Pacquiao no. 1 absentee in the house. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved on September 20, 2017 from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/432811/pacquiao-ledesma-top-house-list-of-absentee-lawmakers
7. Espejo, E. (June 11, 2014). Manny Pacquiao: Jack of all trades. Rappler. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/boxing-mma/pacquiao/60291-manny-pacquiao-jack-all-trades
8. Vitug, M. (February 20, 2004). Celebrity politics : Star power holds perils for the Philippines. The New York Times. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from https://mobile.nytimes.com/2004/02/20/opinion/celebrity-politics-star-power-holds-perils-for-the-philippines.html
9. Wikipedia. List of actor-politicians. Retrieved on September 17, 2017 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_actor-politicians
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