Imelda Papin —MARINEL CRUZ
Singer Imelda Papin, the newly installed director of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), will be launching an assistance program called “Isang Linggong Serbisyo,” which is a playful take on the title of her iconic song released in 1992.
“During my oath-taking on June 4, I told Mr. President that I wanted to propose this to the board. It’s connected to my song ‘Isang Linggong Pag-ibig.’ He smiled and said, ‘Sige! Unahan mo na,’” Papin told reporters over lunch during the weekend.
She then explained that, if the proposal would be approved, PCSO beneficiaries can avail of the organization’s services even during weekends. “There will be no more days off in terms of the services of the PCSO. I’m basing this on the experiences of people who used to ask for financial help from me,” said the former vice governor of Camarines Sur. “There were cases when patients would receive release orders from their doctors on a Friday afternoon but didn’t have time to request for financial aid from the PCSO because the office is closed during the weekend.
Papin admitted that when she was asked by President Bongbong Marcos’ team which government position she hoped to fill in, she “mentioned” her interest to become part of the PCSO. “This was because, as vice governor, my office would endorse to PCSO the people seeking financial help from my office. I don’t mind taking any position as long as it is vacant and aligned with my goals and advocacies,” she pointed out.
As to whether she intended to amend any rules or policies within the PCSO, Papin said, “I will review them first. Also, I’m only one of five members of the board of directors, not the head.” Papin’s first day at work was on June 10, when she was briefed about her duties and responsibilities.
New job
Papin, who is currently the president of the Actors Guild of the Philippines, will have to step down and relinquish the position to Hero Bautista, who is vice president for internal affairs. “They don’t want me to resign, so I will still be a member. However, this new job will be my focus from now on. I’m excited because this marks my return to public service. I served my province for nine years so this is not new to me,” she said.
Papin added that she only received the confirmation of her appointment two days before the Office of the President made the announcement. This was despite talks circulating since April that she would even be the PCSO chair. “Until I got my confirmation papers, I didn’t want to assume that I was head of anything,” she declared.
She said she will not give up show business and will continue to do concerts from time to time. “My love for singing will always be there. I’d be sad if I quit,” she stressed. “Now that I’m here, I will definitely prioritize the industry. Show biz is my family. Without the encouragement and help of people in this industry, there would be no Imelda Papin. I consider today as payback time. The first thing I’d do is encourage industry people to regularly make their lottery bet. Tumaya na kayo!”