That’s what you would think if you’ve been following the tabs which have been coming up these past few days with stories that seem to pit Goma against Buboy.
According to reports, Buboy said that Goma should have first sorted out the tax case filed against him by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) before he ever thought of filing his Certificate of Candidacy.
Offended, Goma was quoted as retorting that Buboy should deal with his own personal issues, such as "giving support to his love child with Teresa (Loyzaga)" before bothering with him.
Harsh words, aren’t they?
Eyebrows are soaring over this ugly word war that, in the first place, shouldn’t have been dignified by the two gentlemen because they are running not in an awards race but for an august body such as the Senate. Besides, the two should, even if running under different banners (Goma as an independent and Buboy with the administration’s Team Unity), work hand in hand because they both come from a beleaguered (because tax-laden) industry  the movie industry.
In an effort to nip in the bud what could worsen into a full-blown "star war" and destroy both of them, in the process, Buboy clarified things at a presscon yesterday.
"When I heard about the issue," recalled Buboy, "I didn’t remember having said anything against Richard. I thought hard about it and then I remember that more than a month ago in a casual chat with a Malacañang reporter, I was asked if, put in Richard’s shoes, I would first attend to the tax case before deciding to run. I said, ‘Yes, I would.’ It wasn’t an interview, mind you, just a simple chat. It came out in the press only lately and I was surprised. I realized now that I must have been put on the spot by that leading question which, at that time, I didn’t really give too much thought to."
In fact, Buboy added, "I share Richard’s advocacy. I am with him in his protest against the E-Vat. I support Richard and whichever candidate is working to help the movie industry. I never intended to offend Richard. We are both from the movie industry and we should be working together. Unfortunately, some people seem to be pitting us against each other."
Besides working for the repeal of the E-Vat Law, for the improvement of our educational system and for the good of the movie industry, Buboy said that if elected he would introduce a legislative measure requiring banking institutions to allocate a substantial portion of their loan portfolios for cooperatives.
"The government should provide more incentives to and support for cooperatives since they provide the most equitable opportunities for economic advancement to our people."
• May 1, Tuesday, 2 to 6:30 p.m., at Karakol with the Sto. Bambino de Aracoeli, from Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center, Binakayan, Cavite, to Freedom Park in Kawit, Cavite;
• May 2, Wednesday, 1 to 5 p.m., Healing at the Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center, Binakayan, Cavite;
• May 7, Monday, 1 to 5 p.m., Healing at the Coming Home and Meditation Center, Binakayan, Cavite;
• May 11, Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., Healing at the Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center, Binakayan, Cavite; and
• May 15, Tuesday, 26 Asian Religious Pilgrimage (Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand).
(Note: For further information, call Gilbert or Andy at 046-434-8759 or 046-878-0069, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.)
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)