Richard Gomez defends win as Ormoc mayor: 'Hindi lahat ng artista, bobo'

Actor Richard Gomez on Tuesday defended his foray into politics after winning the mayoralty post in Ormoc City in Leyte.

In a phone interview with Kara David on "News To Go," Gomez said that his job as an actor is no different from the jobs held by others running for electoral posts.

"Madali kasi magsalita na 'Artista lang yan,' pero kailangan makita rin nila sino ba 'tong mga artista na 'to. Hindi naman siguro lahat ng artista bobo, hindi naman siguro lahat ng artista, puro pag-aartista lang ang alam," Gomez said.

"Marami rin times na dapat bigyan nila ng pagkakataon 'yung mga artista. Kasi, 'yung pag-aartista trabaho lang natin 'yan eh. Wala naman tayong pinagkaiba sa mga ibang tao na may ibang klaseng trabaho na gusto pumasok sa pulitika," he added.

The 50-year-old actor won by a slim margin, defeating Liberal Party candidate Ondo Cordilla.

His wife, actress Lucy Torres, was also elected congresswoman of the fourth district of Leyte.

This is Gomez's first win after several tries to win a political post.

Gomez was named nominee of party-list Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga, but the group was disqualified in 2001. He ran for senator in 2007 but lost. He then tried for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2010, but was disqualified due to residency issues.

In 2013, he ran for mayor in Ormoc, but lost to Cordilla.

"Ganun lang talaga, if you really wanna do something good for your country, keep trying lang. Tapos ito, dumating na 'yung panahon ngayon," Gomez said.

While he admitted that his popularity gave him an edge, he attributed his success to careful planning on his team's part.

"Careful planning lang talaga. We were taking calculated risks. Tapos proper implementation lang nung planning namin for the campaign. Naging positive naman yung turnout this time," Gomez said.

"Yung pagka-artista, yung maganda lang doon, nakikilala ka kaagad. Di mo na kailangan magpakilala sa mga tao. You can go direct kaagad sa kung anong gusto mo gawin para sa kanila," he added.

Peace and order

As Mayor of Ormoc, Gomez said his focus will be on improving peace and order in the city.

"We always believe na pag maganda ang peace and order situation, kasabay nito ng magandang tourism program, socio-economic program, madaling umunlad ang isang lugar,"

"We have a good tourism program. 'Pag naimplement ng tama yun, 'di matatakot pumasok yun mga turista. Tapos yung mga negosyante hindi rin sila matatakot na pumasok kasi magiging peaceful yung lugar," he added.

Gomez had already consulted with the city's police officials, and asked for their help to improve the peace and order situation.

He added that he will start meeting with his transition team on Tuesday night. —Jessica Bartolome/JST, GMA News