The showbiz invasion

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The United States may have provided the example of show business personalities succeeding in politics and governance, but what the Philippines is seeing now is an intrusion into the field by entertainers with a vengeance. As of the latest count, no less than 20 former actors, actresses, singers, comedians and even those still in the profession, have filed their certificates of candidacies for various positions.

That is without counting the ones who are already in, holding such offices as mayors, governors, congressmen and senators. For the record, we even had one for president already, and nobody can say that only the U.S. had a Ronald Reagan for its own. Unfortunately for us, while Reagan died after serving his full term, ours had his own aborted by ouster through the Philippine invention called People Power.

What is somewhat disturbing in the present Philippine situation is that many of these showbusiness personalities who were able to land elective positions have also drawn in members of their families in a wide variety of offices that range from senators to congressmen, governors, mayors, and even town and city councilors. And more and more of them are coming in with every election.

We have nothing against the entry of such personalities into politics knowing how idealistic some of them sound when they introduce themselves to their prospective constituents. However, there is also the disadvantage wrought on other aspirants, who may not have the same good looks, articulateness, and ability to present a good front, compared to those who have acquired all that in the practice of their original profession.

But, in the democracy that we profess to practice, it is the people who will choose and vote for the ones to lead them. And if more and more of our people opt to vote for the ones who can beguile them, it is also for them to bear with them if they turn out to be disappointments.*