"If you decide to run, you cannot choose. Or kung sino ang makakasama mo, halimbawa, [from] provincial board member to Congress. Ang importante is your willingness to serve. Sana lahat ng kasama mo, iisa ang layunin ninyo," replies Edu Manzano when asked of he is willing to run on the same ticket as Senator Bong Revilla.
Edu Manzano spearheads "Ako Mismo" movement
Thursday, April 23, 2009
11:50 AM
Umugong ang usap-usapan na any moment ay magdedeklara na ang aktor at Optical Media Board Chairman na si Edu Manzano ng kanyang kandidatura bilang senador sa 2010 elections. Agad naman itong binigyang linaw ni Edu nang makausap siya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa taping ng kanyang game show sa ABS-CBN, ang Pilipinas, Game KNB?.
"No, hindi naman opisyal... Nandun yung mga nagko-convince sa 'yo," paglilinaw ni Edu.
AKO MISMO. Walang announcement na inihayag so far si Edu, pero may magaganap daw na isang importanteng paglulunsad ng isang movement.
"This is an advocacy naman na ilu-launch end of the month," sabi niya. "Ang pangalan, 'Ako Mismo.' Lahat tayo, we take responsibility na, you know, marami tayong personality na involved. It's non-political. Bawal ang politician.
"Pero, kumbaga nga, like may magsasabi na taxi driver, kinunan namin siya. Sabi niya, 'Hindi na ako mangongontrata.. Ako mismo, ako mismo nagbabayad ng tamang buwis. Hindi ko na aasahan ang gobyerno na pagandahin ang kuwalidad ng buhay ng pamilya ko. Ako mismo ang gagawa ng paraan.' So, we should launch it by the end of the month."
May mga taga-showbiz bang kasali sa kanyang advocacy movement?
"Magugulat kayo. Kasi nakakakuha ako ng [permit]...last year pa. Kaya lang, medyo may kamahalan kahit sabihin na advocacy lang. We were able to put sponsors sa tulong ng isang advertising agency. Nakunan na kahapon yung iba. Today, meron din and the whole week, kinukunan namin.
"Walang fundraising ito. No money involved," paglilinaw ni Edu. "It's a call-to-arms na huwag na nating laging iasa ang buhay natin sa iba. Kaya 'Ako Mismo. Ako mismo ang ang gagawa ng paraan.'"
Si Edu raw ang nakaisip na ang ibigay na pangalan sa kanilang advocacy movement ay "Ako Na." But they hired people from advertising agency na nakausap nila hanggang sa mapagdesisyunan na gawin na itong "Ako Mismo." At isa sa tumulong sa kanila ay ang DBP Cares.
NO POLITICIANS ALLOWED, INCLUDING GOV. VI. Hiningan din ba niya ng tulong ang kanyang ex-wife na si Batangas Governor Vilma Santos?
"No, bawal ang pulitiko dito. Kahit volunteers," sabi ni Edu.
Kahit kilala rin naman si Governor Vi bilang Star For All Seasons?
"No, kasi baka isipin ng tao it's being manipulated. Alam mo ang tao, masyadong cynical and sometimes... So, sometimes, sa mga tutulong, sakaling gustong mag-endorse ng pulitiko, umalis na kayo. Kasi tuluy-tuloy na ito, e. Even after election. Ang commitment, tuluy-tuloy na."
PRELUDE TO 2010? Puwedeng isipin ng iba na simula na ito ng kanyang pangangampanya if ever tumakbo siya sa 2010. Ano ang masasabi ni Edu rito?
"No," tanggi niya. "We think about running, but first of all, I'm still working with OMB. We even have member from the clergy. Ang problema ko kasi, if I decide to run, I have to give up my work November pa lang."
May haka-haka rin na tatakbo bilang senador si Edu sa 2010 under the administration party. Totoo ba ito?
"No, actually, wala pa kaming team," sagot niya. "Kaya nagkaroon ng espekulasyon dahil napasok [ang pangalan ko] sa Pulse Asia survey. Pero hindi naman kami ang nagpalagay ng pangalan. Nag-random sila ng 65 individuals kaya yun ang lumabas. I'm on number seven sa kanilang list."
Personally, alin kaya ang puwede niyag pasuking partido sa 2010—sa administrasyon ba o sa oposisyon?
"Yung plataporma," sagot niya. "That's why puwede namang maging independent, e. I mean, it doesn't really... Si Kiko [Francis Pangilinan] nga, independent yun, e.
"You know, honestly, I think it's about time na ibalik na ang debate. We are only as good as the leaders we elect. Kaya minsan, hindi na tayo dapat magreklamo, e. Kasalanan din natin, e.
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