Change in our politics? FPJ daughter, Vilma, Edu, Kiko in 2010

It’s the most difficult (decision) I’ve made in my entire life, except the one I made in 1978 when I decided to get a bikini wax. — Arnold Schwarzenegger announcing he was running for California Governor on Jay Leno’s TV show

The world wants change. America the superpower, despite its worrisome economic decline, is on the brink of exciting dramatic changes in their forthcoming November 4 elections with two reform-minded presidential bets racing to replace an unpopular leader. Can we in the Philippines do the same and push for real changes in 2010?

Though I prefer that the maverick, straight-talking war hero Senator John McCain become the next President of the US, no doubt the “rock stars” of American politics today are his surprise running mate, 44-year-old ex-beauty queen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, along with 47-year-old Democratic presidential bet Barack Obama. All of them have pledged to turn US politics upside down with changes.

The media reported that TV audiences for the Palin and Obama speeches were bigger than the ones recorded this year for the Oscar Awards broadcast, the finale of American Idol, and even the phenomenal Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. Wow!

In the Philippines, the arena for the presidential election is still an open field, with so many names being proposed (or proposing themselves). However, one thing seems to be certain: despite the electoral losses of many showbiz celebrities in 2007, various top showbiz heavyweights are reportedly dead-set on running in our 2010 polls.

The race for vice president in 2010 is going to be more exciting than the Star Struck or Pinoy Big Brother reality TV shows of GMA-7 and ABS-CBN 2. Sources say that popular Batangas Governor Vilma Santos might throw her hat into the derby, as will movie action star Senator Bong Revilla. Camera, lights, action?

If the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) of San Miguel beer boss Danding Cojuangco chooses former multi-awarded TV broadcaster Senator Loren Legarda as a presidential bet, it’s likely former FPJ election spokesman Senator Chiz Escudero might be the vice presidential bet — he’s as popular as any movie star among the youth.

Rounding out the possible vice presidential bets is an honorary showbiz luminary and one-time ABS-CBN 2 newscast contributor, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, a political independent whose wife Sharon Cuneta is the Megastar of entertainment. Will Kiko run with Senator Mar Roxas, whose girlfriend Korina Sanchez will add showbiz glamour to his presidential bid, or will Kiko run with Manny Villar?

Another showbiz VIP running in 2010 is the daughter of the late presidential bet Fernando Poe, Jr. and movie queen Susan Roces, Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares, who declared her intention to run for the Senate on her 40th birthday last September 3.

Educated in Assumption College and in the US, Mary Grace Poe’s birthday party and political launching at Milky Way restaurant in Makati was graced by showbiz and political luminaries like ex-President Erap, Comedy King Dolphy, talk show queen Kris Aquino, Maricel Soriano, Senate President Manny Villar, Makati Mayor Jojo Binay, and others.

Aga Muhlach’s manager Ethel Ramos told this writer: “If her dad Ronnie Poe were alive today, would he have approved her running for Senator? Susan Roces was once opposed to FPJ going into politics, because it is a difficult and treacherous field.” Aga Muhlach told me he’s not running in 2010 and he’s not interested in entering politics, despite his joint philanthropic projects with Jollibee and other civic causes.

Edu running for Senate, Herbert Bautista as QC Mayor

Other celebrities said to be running in 2010 include Vilma’s ex-husband and government’s anti-piracy chief Edu Manzano who is gunning for the Senate; Jinggoy Estrada running for Senate reelection; Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista who seems sure to run for mayor since incumbent Mayor Sonny Belmonte is serving his third and final term; Q.C. Councilor Aiko Melendrez running as Congresswoman; actor Alfred Vargas said to be running for Q.C. councilor; and actor Jomari Yllana running for Paranaque councilor, following his brother Anjo and their friend BF Homes Barangay Chairman Jeremy Marquez into politics. There are many others also running.

I hope and pray that they shall push sweeping socio-economic, political and moral reforms to lessen mass poverty and fight endemic corruption in Philippine society. We live in challenging times of globalization, economic slowdown among the traditional powers like US and Japan, transnational terrorism, record-high oil prices, food supply problems and the threat of global warning, Philippine society needs renewal and hope!

This writer is still in the real estate business and also a part-time college teacher, but as new editor-in-chief of the soon-to-be-relaunched S magazine which covers showbiz, both local and global, I couldn’t help but hear the news about all these showbiz names planning to run for public office in our 2010 elections.

Instead of being polluted by our traditional politicos and their often wayward ways, can qualified and morally fit showbiz folks with no overdependence on political parties or vested interests rise to the challenge and be agents of change?

Instead of another endless parade of lawyers for generations, I prefer we have more doctors, dentists, teachers, engineers, housewives, entrepreneurs, writers and others run for public office. So I’ve come to believe that those who are qualified among our showbiz folks to challenge the lawyers’ monopoly of politics are entitled to do so by running.

It is not true that all showbiz folks are unfit for public office, for one of the best US leaders was the late President Ronald Wilson Reagan who genuinely empathized with the people and inspired them. Even Democrat Barack Obama admires Reagan.

Can our showbiz VIPs running for election see that the problems of the past hundred years of Philippine politics have been mainly due to highly-educated, privileged politicos who often cynically put self-interest and family welfare above those of community and country? Can we expect from them sweeping — not just cosmetic photo-op — changes? Can they selflessly and decisively champion the cause of true reforms?

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