Several sports personalities have victoriously pulled off their respective bids to win in the 2022 national and local elections.
Like celebrity actors who conveniently found an entry point to the world of politics, through the massive popularity endowed to them by showbiz, sports personalities have likewise made the shift into the world of public service, too.
That is evident in the number of former star athletes who won in their respective bids to become politicians via the recently concluded May 9 national and local polls.
Among those who claimed victory included the seasoned basketball players, who have found a new court in politics.
This time, it’s the public they are trying to make points on. PBA stars James Yap, Paul Artadi, and Don Allado–each won as San Juan City councilors. Former San Miguel Beermen Franz Pumaren and Dondon Hontiveros won as lawmakers in Quezon City and a city councilor in Cebu City, respectively. Similarly, Ato Agustin won his re-election bid as a city councilor of San Fernando, Pampanga.
In Tagaytay City, former Cavite 8th District lawmaker and current Philippine Olympic Committee president–Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino won his mayoralty bid. Olympian swimmer, Eric Buhain, meanwhile, emerged victorious as Batangas 1st District’s representative. Former PBA star Vergel Meneses, similarly pulled off a feat as re-electionist Mayor of Bulacan, Bulacan.
Legendary basketball player and former lawmaker, Robert ‘Dodot’ Jaworski won his vice-mayoralty bid in Pasig City. He is notably the running mate of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who also won his re-election bid. In the province of Cagayan, former Ateneo women’s volleyball captain Charo Soriano is victorious as one of Tuguegarao City’s presumptive councilors. UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag likewise got elected as Makati City 1st district councilor. In Dinalupihan, Bataan, former PBA player Gary David also won as councilor.
Richard Gomez, a fencing champion and an actor won his bid as a first-time representative for Leyte’s 4th legislative district. He swapped posts with his wife and outgoing Leyte 4th district representative Lucy Torres-Gomez, who also won her mayoralty bid in Ormoc City.
