Putting an end to speculations, actor Richard Gomez confirmed to The STAR Saturday that he is, indeed, gunning for the Bulacan governorship in next year’s elections.
"It’s (the gubernatorial post) or nothing," said Gomez — or Goma as he is fondly called— after speaking before members of the Barasoain Host Lions Club at DJ Paradise Resort here Saturday night.
"I would never waste my time going around if I am not serious," said Gomez, who admitted visiting Bulacan thrice weekly for quite sometime.
Gomez is considered one of the frontrunners in next year’s gubernatorial race, along with former governor Roberto Pagdanganan, Rep. Wilhelmino Alvarado, and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Federation president Joselito "Jon-jon" Mendoza, younger brother of Gov. Josie de la Cruz, who is on her third and last term.
In 2001, Gomez was rumored to be running against De la Cruz. But he opted to run in the party-list election under his Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga which, however, was later disqualified.
Asked who his running mate would be, Gomez said he is negotiating with Mendoza to be his vice gubernatorial candidate.
Mendoza, however, is reportedly being groomed to succeed his sister. His camp even distributed stickers and posters with the words "Wanted: Bagong Bulakenyo."
The propaganda, however, backfired as Bulakeños thought that the "Bagong Bulakenyo (New Bulakeño)" referred to was Gomez.
Gomez’s friends took advantage of the situation by sending out stickers stating "Si Goma ang Bagong Bulakenyo."
"Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa kampo ni Jon-jon (I have to thank Jon-jon’s camp a lot) because I benefited from their propaganda," Gomez told The STAR.
If Gomez proceeds with his gubernatorial bid, he will be the second actor to do so. In 1995, comedian Bert "Tawa" Marcelo of Baliuag town tried his luck, but lost to Pagdanganan. Marcelo died a year later.
In 1998, Daniel Fernando ran for mayor of Guiguinto town, but lost to Ambrosio Cruz, who is now on his third and last term. In 2001, he ran for provincial board member and won by a landslide. He was re-elected in 2004. He reportedly plans to vie for the vice governor’s post next year.