Calls to Challenge Boycott of Showbiz Personalities in Elections
The recent defeat of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. in the May 12 elections has saddened many, including Iloilo 1st district Representative Janette Garin. She expressed concern over the call to boycott showbiz personalities in elections simply because they were former entertainers. Garin emphasized that such a boycott should have been addressed and challenged.
“Pasensya na po ha kasi talagang ako’y nalungkot na hindi nanalo si Senator Bong Revilla bilang aming chairperson at aming kapartido (I’m really sorry, but I feel quite saddened that Senator Bong Revilla did not win as he is our chairperson and party member),” Garin shared during a recent Facebook live session.
She pointed out, “Yung mga artista, inisyuhan na wag iboto. Ako ay talagang tumatawag sa partido na dapat sagutin siya. Kasi pwede naman sanang sagutin eh (They made an issue out of showbiz personalities, and called for their boycott. It was an issue that I asked the party to answer. Because it could have been answered).”
As a committed member of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Garin believes that the boycott campaign unjustly affected candidates with backgrounds in entertainment.
Impact of the Boycott on Senator Revilla’s Reelection Bid
Senator Revilla, who initially rose to fame as an action star decades ago, failed to secure reelection after placing 14th in the 2025 Senate race. Only the top 12 candidates will serve in the upcoming 20th Congress.
Garin lamented the missed opportunity to respond to the boycott issue, noting, “Eh maganda sana ito sagutin eh. Kasi kapag hindi natin masagot ang isang issue, nananatiling katotohanan yung mga maling bagay naman (It would have been a good issue to answer. Because when we fail to answer an issue, the lies become truths).”
She underscored the importance of addressing such narratives to prevent misinformation from becoming accepted as fact.
Successful Politicians with Showbiz Backgrounds
Garin cited examples of former actors turned politicians who have made significant contributions in public service. “Andyan si [Manila Mayor] Isko [Moreno]. Eh di ba nung siya ay nag-mayor, madami naman siyang naipakita na magagandang accomplishment niya? (There’s Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. When he was mayor, didn’t he show many great accomplishments?),” she said.
She also highlighted Senator Tito Sotto, remarking, “Marami ring mga artista, oh si Senator [Tito] Sotto. Eh performer naman na senador yan. Marami eh (There are also many artists, look at Senator Tito Sotto, he was a performer-turned-senator. There are many like him).”
Continuing, Garin noted, “Marami ring tayong mga officials who came from the entertainment industry, nanalo, nagkaroon ng posisyon, at nagkaroon ng mga legacy programs. Nagkaroon ng output, May accomplishment.”
These officials, she explained, have established legacy programs and demonstrated tangible results, proving that a background in entertainment does not preclude effective public service.
Both Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, president of Aksyon Demokratiko, and Senator Tito Sotto, chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, secured their respective positions in the recent elections.
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