Dingdong Dantes talks sense

I think I’m going to like Dingdong Dantes.

The actor was mentioned by Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, a Liberal party member, as one of those they are eyeing for the senatorial lineup in next year’s national elections.

Dantes, in an article in Pep.ph, said he was honored by his inclusion in the LP list but, “ nakapagdesisyon naman po ako na wala talaga sa plano ko na tumakbo in any elected post.”

He said he wants to focus on his career while being a husband to actress Marian Rivera and a father to their coming baby.

“Kaya wala po sa plano ko ‘yan and there are lot of things to do. I’m categorically saying that I’m not running in any electoral post this 2016,” he stressed.

His statement does not rule out joining politics in the future but at least in 2016 he is assuring us that he won’t succumb to the opportunistic lure of politicians whose only objective is to have as many winners in their stable instead of about elevating the quality of politics in the country.

Dantes currently holds the position of commissioner-at-large of the National Youth Commission and he said he wants to focus on his responsibilities. “Para sa akin, mahalaga na magampanan ko muna ang tungkulin ko sa NYC. It’s not an easy task that’s why we really need lots of attention, commitment. And hindi pupuwede siyang madagdagan pa as of this moment.”

This guy talks sense. Will watch out for him in future elections.

Showbiz personalities like Dantes have a huge advantage if they decide to run for a national position because of name recall.

In the March 2015 survey by Pulse Asia on senatorial preferences, Dantes was ranked number 22 – 24. Not so bad considering that this is the first time that his name is being floated for the senatorial race.

He scored higher than Leni Robredo (23-24), the much admired widow of the late Interior secretary Jesse Robredo, who is now a member of House of Representatives.

He also scored higher than Joel Villanueva (24-35), director of TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development) and best friend of President Aquino.

Aquino had wanted Villanueva to be his press secretary to increase the latter’s public visibility and improve his chances in the 2016 elections but the earlier plan to have Press Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. transferred to the Civil Service Commission did not push through.

Villanueva is one of the congressmen who were reported to have benefitted from the pork barrel scam operated by Janet Napoles.

In rural areas, where people don’t feel much of the national government, they usually vote just the familiar names. With movie or television stars, they feel they have a connection especially if they’ve enjoyed the showbiz personalities’ roles in movies and TV.

They think that the roles the actors play on the screen are what they are in real life.

That’s why we haveTito Sotto, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada in the Senate. Before them we had Joseph Estrada, who went on to become President (he is now Manila mayor), Ramon Revilla, Sr.

These stars had a less than stellar performance as legislators. In the case of Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada, it’s a disaster with their involvement in pork barrel scandal.

The inclusion of Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno in the LP slate has given rise to speculations that Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada wants to run for re-election contrary to what was supposed to be the agreement with Moreno in 2013 that he would only be a one-term mayor and will give way to Moreno in 2016.

There are Moreno ads in TV to introduce himself to the national voters, who may have forgotten his “That’s Entertainment” days. He is ranked 16-21 in the Pulse Asia survey for 2016 senatorial preferences.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista is also in the LP list of possible candidates for senator.

Unsolicited advice to Mayor Herbert to help him boost his stock as a senatorial candidate: revive your romantic links with presidential sister Kris Aquino.