Alfred Vargas sentimental about last term as QC representative
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Alfred Vargas on doubting celebrities in politics, “Teka lang, mayroon ding breed ng artista na puwedeng-puwede rin sa public service.”
“I'm feeling very, very happy. I'm elated and upbeat.”
This is how Alfred Vargas described his feelings after being re-elected as the representative of Fifth District of Quezon City.
The actor-turned-politician only had about a week of vacation after the 2019 mid-term election, but he seemed fully recharged and ready to go back to work when he met a few entertainment editors, including GMANetwork.com, for a short chat last week.
Alfred said he's excited to continue his service to his constituents, “Na-inspire ako because of the very strong mandate of the people of Novaliches gave me.
“I'm onto my third term and medyo sentimental din ako.
“Pero I'm very happy kasi makakatapos din ako ng three terms as a congressman.
“Hindi madaling gawin 'yon.”
Now that he has been re-elected, Alfred only has one goal, “Gusto ko, ituloy ko lang itong legislative performance ko.”
During his previous terms, the former Encantadia actor takes pride in his achievements as a legislator.
“I was able to file 405 House Bills and 31 of which were enacted into law,” he said.
Out of all the bills he has filed, Alfred is proudest of House Bill No. 8636 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, which he co-authored with other 200 legislators.
It was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 29.
Alfred said he dedicates this milestone in his political career to his mother, who died of cancer in 2014.
“It's very personal to me because my mother died of cancer,” he said.
Then, he recalled the hardships his family had to go through during his mom's battle against cancer.
“Yung buong experience na 'yon, talagang hindi ko kinalimutan 'yon.
“'Tapos naisip ko, parang if nahirapan kami… Ako, nahirapan ako, together with my siblings. Paano pa kaya yung mga less fortunate Filipinos?
“Celebrity na ako, 'di ba? My heart goes out to them also.
“Kasi, 'yung sakit na cancer, walang pinipiling tao 'yan, mayaman o mahirap.
“Pero ang treatment, parang may pinipili. Parang mas advantageous kung mas mayaman ka.”
It shouldn't be that way. Kailangan, basta Pilipino ka, mayroon kang chance na labanan ang disease na 'yon.
CELEBRITIES IN POLITICS
With all his achievements as a legislator, Alfred believes that he is one of the many celebrities who proves that showbiz personalities can also be a public servant.
In fact, the 37-year-old actor-politician was happy that several celebrities won in the previous elections--including the Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes's son, Vico Sotto, who won as Pasig City mayor; and Isko Moreno, who was also elected as mayor in Manila.
“I feel very happy kasi even I, I was a victim of insults and bashing before dahil artista ako.
“Minsan naman kasi the people who comment the nastiest are the most uninformed ones.
“Hindi nila alam kung ano yung… Okay lang, kasama naman 'yan sa public service.
“Ako naman, I want to prove the doubters, yung mga nagda-doubt sa artista, 'Teka lang, mayroon ding breed ng artista na puwedeng-puwede rin sa public service.'
“'Yan 'yung the likes of Vilma Santos, Herbert Bautista, 'di ba? Ganyan 'yung mga gusto natin.
“Ang dami, so ako, I'm very happy.”
In the future, Alfred said about celebrities joining politics, “I'm very hopeful na sana balang araw mawala na yung stigma o 'yung judgment ng mga tao against people from showbiz who want to serve on an official capacity.”
Meanwhile, since this is his last term in Congress, GMANetwork.com asked Alfred if he has a plan to run for higher office.
“Siguro somewhere along the way I will have to decide,” he answered.
“Kasi, as of now, masyado pang premature to decide ngayon.
“Ang gusto ko lang magpakita ng magandang performance, mabigay ko lahat ng kaya ko.
“Ang daming pwedeng paraang para ipagpatuloy--puwedeng elected position ulit or appointed position.
“Puwede rin namang mag-full time na lang ulit ako sa showbiz, puwede rin akong mag-retire.
“Tutal by that time, I have given 12 years of my life already to the Filipino people.
“Talagang marami na akong nagawa para sa iba. Puwede akong mag-focus sa pamilya.”
