An appeal to ‘moonlighting’ politicians
Congratulations to all the actors, actresses and other show biz celebrities who have won a mandate to serve their constituents. However, these winners should remember that they were voted to serve the public, not to entertain a few. I, for one, therefore hope that I do not see their ubiquitous faces anymore on TV and the big screen doing something else not related to their mandate, like horse-playing, cracking ridiculous jokes, judging a talent show, acting as a cohost, or pretending to be Spiderman.
Though I am neither a constitutionalist nor a lawyer, I know that our Charter does forbid public servants like congressmen and senators from taking two or more jobs outside their lawmaking duties. Such a practice leads to conflict of interest and shortchanges the people who voted for them and who expect them to work full time.
So please, Lani Revilla and son Jolo, Lucy Torres, Tito Sotto and children Gian and Lala, Lito Lapid, Roderick Paulate, Isko Moreno, Alfred Vargas and Anjo Yllana (to cite a few), I beg you to please refrain from signing a contract with any major TV network or movie production because you already have a contract with the Filipino people. We have had enough of your faces but so little of your public service.
—POMPEYO S. PEDROCHE,
