Gelli de Belen (leftmost) and Agri-Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee in a press con for “Si Manoy ang Ninong Ko” season 2. Images: Facebook/Si Manoy ang Ninong Ko, Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net
Gelli de Belen does not see herself getting involved in politics. Despite being passionate about public service, de Belen believes that using her platform to extend help to different communities is enough.
De Belen, in a press conference with AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” Lee, firmly said she does not have the makings of a politician because it’s a “24/7 commitment” to the people.
“Alam niyo, ‘yung pagtulong na ginagawa ni Manoy, hindi ko kaya. It is a commitment that’s 24/7. It’s a commitment that’s very challenging… Para sa isang public servant, you need 24/7 commitment,” she said, when asked about the possibility of entering politics.
(The kind of help that Manoy extends to the public, I can’t do it. It is a commitment that’s 24/7. It’s a commitment that’s very challenging. To be a public servant, you need 24/7 commitment.)
The actress said being a politician would make her lose time for her family and herself, both of which she deeply values.
“Wala kang oras para sa sarili mo. Hindi ka pwedeng, mag-pamilya muna ako. It has to be bayan muna. I don’t think I have that commitment yet. Or ever,” she said. “Uunahin ko muna ang pamilya ko. Iiiwan ko nalang kay Manoy ang lahat ng mga problemang yan.”
(You don’t have time for yourself. You can’t simply say, “I have to focus on my family first.” It has to be your country first. I don’t think I have that commitment yet. Or ever. I want to prioritize my family. Leave all those problems to Manoy instead.)
Despite this, Lee praised de Belen’s passion for public service, adding that she has the potential to be a mayor.
“Kayang kaya ni Gelli na maging mayor ng isang lugar. May puso si Gelli kaya pwedeng-pwede siyang public servant (Gelli can be a mayor of a town. She has the heart of a public servant),” he said of de Belen.
On ‘integrity,’ bayanihan spirit
De Belen also hoped that “integrity” would be a priority of public servants when it comes to helping others. “Sana we can help sa maayos na paraan, integrity naman. Kasi every time there’s a [public way] of helping others, it [can] make people doubt or hesitate. Let’s be more [honest] in helping people,” she said.
(I hope we can help sincerely. Let’s practice integrity. Because when we see a public way of helping others, it can make people doubt or hesitate if it’s real. Let us be more honest in helping people.)
When asked which community the government and other sectors should focus on, de Belen said people should practice bayanihan instead of dedicating their efforts to a certain community.
“Let’s not just focus on the help,” de Belen said in response to INQUIRER.net. “Gusto naming i-encourage ang mga taong ibalik ang bayanihan. Hindi rin uubra na tayo-tayo na lang palagi… Hindi tayo magkaroon nang maayos na bansa kung tayo-tayo lang palagi.”
(Let’s not just focus on the help. I encourage the people to bring back the spirit of bayanihan. Relying solely on ourselves won’t work. Our country won’t prosper if we simply rely on ourselves.)
De Belen and Lee are returning as the hosts of the public service program “Si Manoy Ang Ninong Ko” which is now in its second season. They are also joined by beauty queen-host Patricia Tumulak.
Among the show’s special guests include Andrea Torres and Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Gomez.