Actress Angelu de Leon shared how she got into politics in her recent interview with veteran broadcaster Luchi Cruz-Valdes. She is currently serving as one of the City Councilors of the second district of Pasig City where she ran under the slate of incumbent mayor Vico Sotto.
Angelu is on her second term as a City Councilor after earning 37.52% of the votes in the district she serves.
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While others may think that this was a surprise move for her to run for a public position, the Kapuso actress shared that she has always been inclined to public service even during her active days in the showbiz industry.
“I think medyo shock yun sa lahat pero ever since I’ve been inclined to do public service. Ayokong masabing politiko ako mas inclined akong tawagin na public servant,” she explained.
Apart from going to charity events, volunteering for relief operations, and many more, she joined several organizations before entering politics. It was when she transferred to Pasig City where she found her calling and revealed she wanted Mayor Vico to be her boss.
Angelu maintained that she didn’t use any of her connections to be part of the slate of Mayor Vico’s bid for reelection back in 2022. She recalled having to meet him and sharing her ideas and vision for Pasig City.
“I didn’t go through tita Coney [Reyes] or Bossing [Vic Sotto] while I was in showbiz… Dahil hindi nga namin kilala si Mayor Vico, sabi ko gusto ko mag apply sa kanya. Gusto ko siyang makausap, gusto ko makausap niya ako and then I’ll tell him my intentions and I want him to get to know me,” she recalled.
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She then acknowledged how her fame in the showbiz industry became an advantage for her bid for a position. She maintained that rather than banking on her name alone, she showed the principles and plans she had for her constituents.
“Hindi ko yun idedeny. May advantage talaga… Laging sinasabi sa akin ng mommy ko yung golden rule–– kung ano ginawa mo sa tao yun din ang gagawin sa'yo. Yun yung tinuntungan ko. Yung time na yun, yun yung driving force ko,” she shared.
Angelu shared in the same interview that she would also have not continued with the elections if her family didn’t support her at all. Fortunately for her, she got the full support of her family even up to this day.
“I’m very fortunate that I have the backing of my family. I think yun yung unang-unang step–– even if I wanted it, kung wala yung suporta nung family ko, I wouldn’t have gone through it,” she said.
Now on her second term, the actress turned politician assured that she is continuing her promise to her constituents.
“Kasi nga siguro walang expectation ng first [term]. Nung second term, medyo may singilan na 'to–– nag trabaho ka ba? Ano yung mga sasabihin mo na accomplishments. Paano ko siya sasabihin ng maganda na hindi mo parang pinamumukha sa mga tao yung trabaho mo,” she expressed.