Who will Piolo endorse in 2016?

MANILA, Philippines - Piolo Pascual is looking to endorse a presidential candidate in the 2016 elections, but can he?

As far as the media knows, Star Magic, ABS-CBN’s talent management arm of which Piolo belongs to, has a long-standing policy that prohibits its contract stars from getting involved in a political campaign or endorsing a candidate.

“There’s a corporate responsibility and we’re not allowed to endorse, especially if you’re part of the corporation. It’s a personal decision, at the end of day. So, for me, I’ll exercise my right when it comes,” the Kapamilya star told reporters on the sidelines of last Tuesday’s launch of the 2015 SunPIOLOgy run happening on Nov. 28 in Fort Bonifacio.

Piolo explained that the reason he wants to endorse a candidate is because “this election is crucial for the country and I want to be involved and use my influence… (The 2016 elections) will define the next six years of the Philippines, economy-wise, and it’s important for us to know who we are going to vote for.”

Piolo is one of the most bankable stars in the country, with career largely controversy-free that his endorsement would naturally be sought-after by politicians. The actor himself admitted to meeting and “having dinners” with presidential candidates, asking and studying their platforms for governance, but he hasn’t decided on anyone in particular yet.

“In all honesty, all of them have great plans (for the country) but the important thing (for me) is, if it’s the right one. I’m still weighing things. I’m not endorsing anyone yet, for me, I would want to hear them out first,” he said. “I want to use the influence that I have to campaign for the right person… We’re talking about the future here, future of our families and children, so it’s really important that whoever we elect into office is the right person.”

His ideal president, however, would be someone who’s not “corrupt please, because we’ve had enough of the corrupt ones. I want someone who has courage and conviction.”

According to Piolo, he will not be accepting any payment fee in exchange for his endorsement. “I never accepted any endorsement fee from anybody I endorsed even before. Karapatan ko yun hindi ko gagamitin yung pera para mai-advance yung isang politician. I would do it because I believe in the person. I’ll endorse someone who I think is suitable for the position pero walang kasamang pera, hindi naman kailangan yun.” 

He would most likely start campaigning for his chosen candidate next year right before the tail-end of the election campaign, which for him is the most important.

Piolo was also asked if he was ever invited to run for office, like other fellow actors who have ventured into the political arena, he admitted, “Meron, pero wala sa utak ko yan… It’s too chaotic. It has never been part of my plans and dreams to enter politics.”       

Meanwhile, Piolo, an avid runner who has had competed in Ironman triathlon events, will be running anew for a cause in SunPIOLOGY, his annual joint project with Sun Life Philippines since 2009 participated in by fellow Star Magic artists. This year, the run will benefit the Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation, Inc., Lingkod Kapamilya and the educational scholars under the actor’s own Hebreo Foundation.