Solon Acknowledges Stars' Drawing Power

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By CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN

May 8, 2012, 1:47pm

Rep. Jack Enrile

MANILA, Philippines — He may not be as showbiz oriented as his sister Katrina, but Rep. Jack Enrile knows and acknowledges the immense popularity and drawing power of showbiz personalities especially in the provinces.
In a recent luncheon meeting with select entertainment writers in his family’s restaurant Petra&Pilar (named after his two grandmothers) at Jaka Center in Makati, Rep. Enrile recalled with amusement a recent experience in the province where some politicians were guests and speakers in a special event but “hindi kami pinansin ng mga tao, yung mga artistang bisita ang pinansin.”
Because he is among the top senatorial candidates being lined up by former President Joseph Estrada’s party, we asked the solon from the 1st District of Cagayan who he would want to be his showbiz endorser during the campaign. He said Bea Alonzo and Jericho Rosales.
But earlier, he enumerated who in his mind are really strong celebrity endorsers among the masses, and they included Willie Revillame, Judy Ann Santos and Robin Padilla.
It’s interesting to note that this reluctant politician has become passionate about ser ving hi s constituents, listing agriculture and small and medium industry as among his priority projects for the people.
“We need to strengthen our agriculture since it is the major industry of the people. We should give our farmers easy access to the market... At ’yung small and medium industry naman should not be hampered by politics, dapat fair ang laban sa lahat.”
Rep. Enrile confessed that he never wanted to be a politician and in fact, this was the cause of a longtime rift with his father, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Finally he gave way to his father’s wish and he agreed to run, just once. After that, he wanted to bring his family back to the US.
“Mas gusto ko ang buhay dun.” But the one-term that he wanted became three. And after a one-term absence, he’s back as congressman and might be senator the next time around.
Rep. Enrile expressed concern about the conflict between the Philippines and China and for this he urged Malacañang to immediately appoint a Philippine Ambassador to China who can effectively lead negotiations over our territorial claims on Scarborough Shoal.