Aiko Melendez | Facebook/@mariaemilia.melendez
Actress-turned-politician Aiko Melendez reminded fellow celebrities who have recently filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 elections that “they should know what kind of job they are getting into” because “people’s lives are at stake.”
“Payo sa mga kapwa ko artista nagnanais tumakbo sa public service/politics. Lahat naman tayo me puso sa pagtulong but it is also best na kapag papasok sa larangan or posisyon na ninanais niyo, alamin din ang trabaho at talagang ginagawa,” she began her post on Facebook.
(Advice to my fellow artists who want to run for public service/politics. We all have a heart for helping, but it is also best that when you enter the field or position that you want, you also know the job and actually do it.)
The Quezon City councilor underscored that “being a celebrity” is not enough and that they have to earn their seat at the table.
“Like for me, nung unang pinasok ko ang pagiging konsehal nag crash course muna ako sa UP-NCPAG for legislative work. Kasi hindi lang naman puro pagtulong ang ginagawa ng isang konsehal. Nagpapasa din ito ng mga batas at resolutions sa sinasasakupan mo. So let not be your name “as an artista” ang maging bala ninyo. It is best to know what you are getting into,” she stated.
(Like for me, when I first became a councilor, I did a crash course at UP-NCPAG for legislative work. Because what a councilor does is not just helping but also passes laws and resolutions in your jurisdiction. So let not your name “as an actor” be your bullet.)
Melendez then explained that having “true motivations” to serve will earn them the people’s trust.
“Kasi buhay ng tao ang at stake dito. Lahat naman natutunan at mapag aaralan pero isapuso ninyo ang pagpasok sa pulitika kasi nakakaaawa na mga tao na lagi nalang nagiging sabik sa totoong motibo at serbisyo mula sa atin mga artista. Para na dn mas madami ang magtiwala sa ating mga artista na nagtratrabaho ng maigi para sa tao,” said the actress-politician.
(Because human life is at stake here. Everything is learned and can be studied, but you should take to heart your entry into politics because you should pity people, who are longing for true motives and service from us actors. This is so that more people can trust us actors to work hard for them.)
Facebook/Aiko Melendez
Meanwhile, actress Jodi Sta. Maria and content creator Arshie Larga also reminded their fans about the importance of making informed decisions when they vote.
Recently, celebrities newly running for political seats for the 2025 midterm polls as well as those who are seeking re-election have raised many eyebrows.
“It’s Showtime” host Ion Perez, actor-host Luis Manzano and his half-brother Ryan Recto, actors Marco Gumabao and Enzo Pineda, and social media personalities Rosmar Tan and Deo Balbuena, popularly known as Diwata, have declared their candidacies.
Seeking re-election or bidding for a political comeback are Arjo Atayde, Alfred Vargas, Jolo Revilla, Lani Mercado, Tito Sotto, Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid, Manny Pacquiao and Vilma Santos.