De Vega says she’s running in hometown

Former track queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado is running again.

Not on the track though where for a decade and a half in the 80s and 90s she established herself as the fastest woman in Asia but in politics as councilor of her native town of Meycauayan in Bulacan.

Diay, now 36, filed her candidacy Tuesday and will run on the ticket of incumbent town Mayor Eduardo Alarilla, hoping to continue serving sports in another capacity.

"I have thought of this (running) for a long time, ever since Mayor Alarilla brought the idea. Noong una, ayoko. Wala akong alam sa pulitika at alam kong mahirap at madumi ang labanan dito," she said.

They told me I could play a major role in the local government’s sports development program as a town official. I was born in Meycauayan, grew up in the town where I was discovered as a runner. Naiisip ko, isa itong paraan para naman maibalik dito ang mga grasyang nabigay sa akin as an athlete kaya noong bandang huli, pumayag ako," Diay added.

"I know I would again be criticized in plunging myself into politics. Atleta lang ako at walang karapatang magsilbi sa bayan bilang isang pulitiko. Pero naisip ko, ang pagsisilbi ba sa bayan may pinipili? Kung hindi ka ba abogado, doktor, may kaya at holder ng masters degree hindi ka na puwedeng magsilbi?" she pointed out.

"Of course, I could also be of help kahit wala sa pulitika. But the opportunity is there. Mas malaki siguro ang maitutulong ko kung opisyal ako ng bayan. May power at resources na kailangan para matupad kung ano man ang programa ko," she said.