De Leon, Manzano: Politics not for us

Joey de Leon and Edu Manzano

MANILA, Philippines – Actor and television host Edu Manzano on Monday said he would no longer enter politics and also discouraged his son Luis from running for public office.

In an interview Monday with Radyo Inquirer 990 AM program Kliq Showbiz, Manzano categorically said no when asked if he would try his luck again in the political arena. Manzano ran for vice president alongside Lakas-Kampi presidential candidate Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in the 2010 elections.

Manzano lost to former Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay.

When asked if he would let his son, actor and TV host Luis Manzano, get into politics, Edu said “Loko siya (he’s nuts) ” in jest.

“Hindi pwede. Sayang eh. Maganda yung career nung tao. You know, eventually, bata pa siya e, time will come na makakapag-handog din siya ng serbisyo publiko (I won’t let him. It’ll just be a waste. His career (as an actor and TV host) is doing well. You know, eventually, he’s still young. His time to render public service will come),” Manzano added.

Meanwhile, veteran comedian Joey de Leon, Manzano’s co-host in the new game show on TV5, Game and Go which will premiere on Sunday, echoed a similar statement when asked the same question.

De Leon said he has no plans of entering politics.

“Sinisilang talaga para sa pulitika e. Meron talagang sinisilang para dyan (Politicians are born. There are people who are born for politics) ,” De Leon said.

Game and Go will premier Sunday, 12 noon on TV5.

Asked about Manny Pacquiao’s loss to Timothy Bradley on Saturday night in Las Vegas (Sunday morning in Manila), the two said it was a close fight and that it could have gone either way.

Manzano stressed, however, that one loss does not make one a lesser man. “For me, Manny is still a winner, my champion.’’

De Leon shared the same view, after making people in the radio booth laugh when he said in jest “The son of Diones lost’’, referring to Pacquiao’s mother, Dionesia.