John Arcilla to celebrities joining politics: Bakit ka nandyan?

John Arcilla | Image: Screengrab from YouTube/GMA

At this point in his life, seasoned actor John Arcilla said he has closed his door to politics, even as some of his peers in show business have decided to heed the call of public service. To them, he has one question — why did you join politics?

Arcilla posed the question to fellow celebrities who have thrown their hat in next year’s elections during an interview with Boy Abunda.

In a recent guest appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Arcilla was asked for his thoughts on the debate on whether actors should venture into politics, or if they should just stick to their chosen medium. He said that actors should be guided by their intention.

“Lahat ng tao ay may karapatan na tumakbo sa politika at maging opisyal. Kesyo artista ka o hindi artista. Ang tanong: Bakit ka nandyan at pupunta sa politika? Para ba talaga maglingkod o para yumaman dahil wala kang pinagkakakitaan?” he stated.

(Everyone has the right to run for politics and be an official. Whether you are an actor or not, the question is, why are you joining politics? Is it really to serve or to get rich because you no longer have income?)

Among the celebrities who have running for the 2025 mid-term elections are veteran actors Phillip Salvador, Nora Aunor, Marjorie Barretto, and Ara Mina, while other entertainment figures in politics are seeking reelection. Their entry into politics recently sparked a debate on whether artists should cross the line of fame to try their hand in governance.

The “Heneral Luna” star — who uttered famous the lines, “Bayan o sarili, pumili ka (Country or yourself, you choose)?” — said that if one public official gets rich while he is in politics, it means he is not doing his job right.

In the interview, Arcilla himself said that he, too, had been offered multiple times to go into politics, but he turned down the offer each time.

“Nakarating ako sa edad na ito na tinanggihan ko lahat ng invitation sa akin. Nakatanggap ako at tatakbo pa nga dapat ako [bilang] konsehal sa Parañaque, na-save ako dun sa crisis na desiyon na ‘yun dahil naawa lang ako dun sa nagpipilit sa akin na congressman na sumama ako,” he recalled.

(I got to this age where I turned down all invitations to me. I received, I was supposed to erun [as] a councilor in Parañaque, but I was saved from that crisis decision because I felt sorry for the congressman who was forcing me to join.)

The actor shared that he was incidentally saved by his TV project at the time, stressing that at his age he no longer has the energy to deal with politics.

“Buti na lang na meron akong program nun sa TV na hindi pala ako pwedeng mag-campaign na habang ako ay nasa telebsiyon. Eh na-tape na ‘yun, hindi na pwedeng burahin ‘yung mga eksena ko at pagbinura ‘yun sira ‘yung buong kwento so I was saved by that particular incident in my life,” he said.

(It’s a good thing that I used to have a program then on TV where I was not supposed to hold campaigns while I’m on television. It’s been taped, and my scenes can’t be erased, and erasing it will ruin the whole story so I was saved by that particular incident in my life.)

“So I was so thankful kasi talagang ayoko, ayoko ng politika. Nakarating ako sa edad na ito na napanindigan ko ‘yan at kung ako man ay magkaka-interes sa politika ngayon, wala na akong stamina sa edad kong ito,” added the actor.

(So I was so thankful because I really don’t want, I don’t want politics. I have reached this age where I can stand that decision, and if ever I would be interested in politics now, I just don’t have the stamina at this age.)