In his interviews last year, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto was consistent in baring his political agenda right off the bat — he would not seek a higher elective post. He bluntly squelched persistent talks that he would aim for the presidency.
Chances are, the enigmatic local leader — who falls short of the age requirement for the highest post — might go back to teaching.
This proves to be good tidings for his rivals, who are simply waiting for this one-term chance.
Aside from the non-running Vico, TV host-comedian Vice Ganda has likewise snubbed calls by certain individuals for him to run for president.
At the height of the massive anti-corruption protests in September last year, award-winning film director Lav Diaz openly rooted for Vice Ganda as the presidential bet likely to succeed PBBM. Lav believes that only the actor can thwart VP Sara Duterte’s presidential bid.
Even noted writer Jerry Gracio shares the same mindset, citing similar reasons like Vice Ganda’s appeal to the masses, incorruptibility, humility, etc.
Given all this interminable clamor, is the actor already conditioning his mind? Is he seriously considering making a go for it?
A light, casual banter among the hosts of “It’s Showtime” centered on this particular topic.
Anne Curtis — who had returned to the noontime show after her father’s funeral in Australia — seriously piped up with: “Oo nga, bakit hindi ka kaya tumakbo? Iboboto kita (Why don’t you run? You have my vote)!”
Sensing it was obviously a joke, Vice Ganda countered Anne’s idea with another joke — this time alluding to the old comparisons to a horse. “Hoy, tigilan n’yo ako! Bata pa lang, takbo na ako nang takbo sa Sta. Ana… Hanggang pagtanda ko ba naman (Hey, stop it! I’ve been running in Sta. Ana since I was young… do I have to in my old age)?!”
To finally put a kibosh on Vice Ganda-to-run-for-president talks, the comedian declared: “I’m a beauty queen… I’m not a politician!”
Not only does Vice Ganda dismiss such proddings jokingly, he parries them with sheer candor — definitely aware of his chances vis-à-vis his limitations.
It’s not enough that he has such a prodigious academic memory that he can still brilliantly recite the Preamble of the Constitution with proper pauses — thanks to his Political Science course back in college.
Neither will the best of his intentions suffice, nor will his squeaky-clean public image help.
Vice Ganda is fully aware that getting to where other people believe he should be takes more than just all these superficial trappings.
Fact is, Vice Ganda can make a good lawmaker, a cabinet secretary, a provincial governor or, better yet, a mayor of Manila’s underbelly.
But as kismet would have it, he’s simply not designed for it — not now, or perhaps ever.
Vice Ganda is more of an asset to the industry than a heaven-sent answer to this fragmented nation.
