Although some of the entertainment press are already calling him"congressman," actor-TV host Richard Gomez wants to clarify that there is still no definite plan yet about running in the 2010 elections.
"Wine-weigh ko 'yong mga dapat gawin. Kailangan maganda ang lumabas sa survey," Richard said during the press conference of his family's newest endorsement, Birch Tree, earlier this afternoon, July 29, at Annabel's restaurant on Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
He added, "Ang primary condition noon ay kung kinakailangan talaga ng tao ng change. Ako naman, 'yong public service has always been in my heart, e."
It has been reported earlier that Richard is eyeing a seat in Congress as the representative of the fourth district of Leyte. This is where his wife Lucy Torres-Gomez's hometown, Ormoc City, is located.
The actor-TV host said that he's been spending four days a week in Ormoc recently to observe the people's needs before deciding whether to push his plan to run in next year's elections.
"'Yong pagtakbo naman sa Ormoc, magiging totoo lang 'yon kung maganda ang kalalabasan ng survey namin. Ibig sabihin, kapag maganda ang survey mo, there's really a need for change. I believe in surveys. Kailangan ko ng dalawang survey to convince myself na, 'Sige, kaya natin 'to.' It's very important lalo kapag local post," Richard explained.
In the last 2007 senatorial race, Richard failed to get enough votes from the public. But this did not discourage the actor from trying his luck again in 2010, this time for a local position.
He explained, "If you want to serve the people, you should always keep on trying. 'Yong public service kasi naman, hindi seasonal 'yon, e. It has to be there all the time. Ang public service is not only election time lang.
"Alam mo," Richard continued, "the truth of the matter is, kapag nabigyan ka ng chance makagawa ng public service, ang sarap ng feeling na nakikita mo na nakakatulong ka sa ibang tao, napapabuti mo ang buhay nila, napapabago mo 'yong way of thinking nila, nabibigyan mo sila ng hope, nabibigyan mo sila ng chance."
FINDING A NEW MANAGER. During the interview, Richard also talked about the other talents of the late manager Douglas Quijano who have not yet found a new manager, including himself and wife Lucy.
He said, "Right now, wala pa kaming hinahanap na manager na papalit sa kanya. But I'm sure one of these days we will have to look for one."
Richard also clarified the there is no truth to talks saying that he has already chosen Johnny "Mr. M" Manahan, head of ABS-CBN's talent arm Star Magic, as his new manager.
The actor explained, "'Yong pangalan lang ni Johnny Manahan came up but together with a lot of different names. He's one of the people na kinu-consider namin kasi... Actually, marami kaming kinunsider na pangalan and Mr. M is just one of them."
Richard said that he and the other talents of Douglas are just taking their time in selecting a new talent manager. "Definitely, we will have to look for a manager. Mahirap to manage yourself," he said.