He has instead decided to run for senator in the next elections. What would be his primary advocacy if elected? “I really want to make countryside development my priority. To give more jobs to people in the rural areas, para hindi na sila nagsisiksikan in big cities like Manila which is already so congested. I also want to provide more jobs for our people para hindi na sila mag-OFW. Do you think gusto nila talagang iwan ang families nila and work in a foreign country? We should provide more jobs here para our kababayans no longer need to work abroad. I have 60 years of experience to offer in the senate. Most people know me as an artista, but I have a wealth of experience in business and public service. I’m the president of Isla Paramijos, an island resort; Addluck Inc., a multi-, media production company; Tentra Management Company, and I’m a partner of various restaurants like Erwin’s Gastrobar in City of Dreams, Lucky Rainbow Seafood Resto in Makati, Black Sheep in Fort Bonifacio. I was past president of the Actors Guild, former chairman of the Optical Media Board, former Makati vice mayor, founder of the Adrian Manzano Cancer Wing at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and I got so many awards and citations for public service.”
Would he encourage his son Luis to run for public office? “Not now. He has a flourishing showbiz career as a much sought after host of various shows. Sayang naman yun kaya doon na muna siya.”
Would he ask Luis and his other kids, Adi and Enzo, to help him campaign for the senate? “They already did. They joined me when I filed my candidacy. But I never force them to help me campaign. It has to come from them, lalo si Luis kasi I know how busy he is now. And I don’t want people to vote for me kasi ama ako ni Luis. They have to ask questions to find out how qualified I am.”
One thing he laments is that the current administration is now neglecting the Optical Media Board that is very dear to him. “Our film industry is so affected. Imagine, about 20 local films na lang ang pino-produce ngayon in a year. After Ronnie Ricketts was suspended as OMB Chair, it’s been leaderless, ang tagal na. That’s why the employees and officers of the OMB, most of whom are career officers na sobrang naaapektuhan ng crisis situation sa OMB, wrote Pres. Aquino a letter asking for his help. Grabe na ang piracy ngayon and it’s not only the movies which is affected but also music, business software na madaling napipirata. They pray the president will act soon and appoint a new OMB chair.”
