Richard Gomez reveals plans to run for the Senate

Author: Wells Avante

Actor-TV host Richard Gomez is determined to enter politics this 2007. But he is no longer running for Governor of Bulacan. Instead, he will campaign for a seat in the Philippine Senate.

In a PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) interview last January 11 at the Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City, Richard talks about his political plans.

What government position are you gunning for?
"From the beginning, I've been preparing for the governorship. As preparations went on, our assessment is that it is better to run for Senator. A lot people say that we have a better chance for the Senate. We're just waiting for the party approval."

Richard did not divulge the name of his party, but it is generally known that he is a staunch supporter of former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, who belongs to the United Opposition.

"I consulted two media groups, survey companies. Sa assessment, ganun nga ang lumalabas. It's much better to do national."

What is your platform as a senator?
"My platform will have elements of health, youth, sports, and family. Kasama diyan yung education, yung anti-drug campaign. Number one is the youth. Ang daming napapabayaang bata. A lot of children are not in school."

What are your preparations for the campaign?
"You prepare your platform. You prepare your campaign. You need a lot of coordination. 'Yan ang ginawa namin noon when we ran for [a] party-list [seat] sa MAD."

MAD stands for Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga. Richard was at the forefront of MAD and was its representative in the 2001 elections. MAD won, but it never got its seat in the Lower House. The Supreme Court disqualified it on the grounds that it had enjoyed government funding at its inception and for its projects, which went against the party-list system rules.

Why did you not run for elections in the past?
"The last elections in 2004, we supported FPJ [Fernando Poe Jr]. Although I wanted also to run last elections, I opted personally to help FPJ."

If you win the elections, how will you handle the pressure of being a politician?
"I perform best when I'm being challenged. We have to win the election first. For every candidate, it's the campaign first before you can start working."

How do you handle critics?
"Ang sinasabi ko lagi, kailan ako tatakbo—kung matanda na ako? I want to run now while I'm young, while I'm strong, while I'm able. I know I can make a difference and I know I can do something good for this country. I know that there is something that I could really do for this country."

Richard is still active in showbiz. He has two regular shows on GMA-7: the weekly sitcom Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita and the Sunday showbiz-oriented talk show S-Files. He was also part of the fantaserye Captain Barbell, which will have its final episode tonight.

Source: Philippine Entertainment Portal