Actress Jessy Mendiola has spoken out in defense of her husband, TV host and actor Luis Manzano, who is currently facing scrutiny for his decision to run for Batangas vice governor in the upcoming 2025 elections.
Mendiola expressed her hope that the public would give Manzano the chance to “prove himself” in the realm of public service.
The actress addressed the criticisms surrounding Manzano’s political aspirations through a response to a netizen’s comment on social media. The netizen had voiced concerns about celebrities entering politics without the necessary skills or knowledge to handle the responsibilities that come with public office.
Mendiola, however, underscored that Manzano has been exposed to public service for years, having learned from his mother, former Batangas governor and actress Vilma Santos, and his stepfather, Senator Ralph Recto.
“I do not understand why some people are so quick to judge porket ‘artista’ siya. Ang pagiging artista ay isa lang sa mga kaya niyang gawin sa buhay,” Mendiola said in her post. “I hope people let him prove himself when it comes to public service.”
She also emphasized that Manzano’s candidacy is legitimate, as he is running a fair campaign and not being appointed to the position. “At the end of the day, ang mga BOTANTE parin ang magdedesisyon kung ihahalal siya bilang public servant, wala nang iba,” Mendiola added.
The comment sparked a broader discussion about the public’s skepticism toward celebrities entering politics. One netizen pointed out that many celebrity politicians had previously failed to fulfill their duties. Mendiola responded, saying, “Yes, they have the right to judge, but let’s not forget that he has a right to prove himself, too. It goes both ways. Hindi pare-parehas lahat ng artista.”
Manzano filed his certificate of candidacy alongside his mother, Vilma Santos, who is seeking the Batangas gubernatorial seat, and his half-brother Ryan Recto, who is running for Batangas 6th District representative.
