Richard Gomez and his wife, Ormoc City Representative Lucy Torres, were among the guests who graced the book launch of Not On Our Watch held yesterday, May 10, at the Metropolitan Museum in Manila.

The book is a compilation of stories about the detention and torture suffered by campus editors during the Martial Law regime.

This hardbound book was edited by Ms. Jo-Ann Maglipon, an activist-journalist during Martial Law, and currently editor-in-chief of YES! magazine and PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

During the book launch, PEP.ph had the chance to interview Richard about his political plans.

There have been reports saying that he is planning to run in the 2013 national elections. Will he run for mayor of Ormoc City?

“I’m preparing,” admitted Richard.

“Kasi tinalo na namin ang family ng incumbent mayor now. Of course, nawala ang seat nila sa Congress kasi nakuha ni Lucy.

“Sabi ko sa kanila, 'wag na silang manggulo kasi ang ganda ng ginagawang trabaho ni Lucy. There’s so much improvement, there’s so much progress sa Ormoc.

"Continuously, nanggugulo sila. I’ll be forced to run head to head against them.

"Ayaw nilang tumigil so maglaban tayo head to head. Lalabanan ko sila.”

He also revealed that his wife, Lucy, will seek re-election in 2013.

“Nagpa-survey ako. That survey will tell na ang layo talaga namin,” said the actor, who is currently part of the ABS-CBN teleserye Walang Hanggan.

Is he prepared for this political battle?

“Even before, I was very prepared,” he quickly answered.

It will be recalled that in 2010, Richard filed a candidacy to become a congressional representative in the fourth district of Leyte.