The filing period for the certificate of candidacy for the 2025 elections may be over, but the buzz and debates surrounding it sure aren’t. With celebrities and well-known internet personalities announcing their candidacies left and right, over the years, a handful outright rejected the notion of running for public office. Here’s a list of celebrities who said they’re not entering politics anytime soon:

Vic Sotto

‘YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE IN POLITICS TO BE OF PUBLIC SEVICE’

Despite some encouragements for him to run, veteran TV host Vic Sotto believes politics is not the only way to serve the public. pic.twitter.com/aD7lyHaN9E

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) October 7, 2024

With his brother Tito Sotto and his son Vico Sotto currently in position, Vic Sotto received many inquiries and encouragements about him possibly running for a position in the government. In an interview with Philippine Star, the TV host and actor said he believes one doesn’t need a political career to help other people.

“With ‘Eat Bulaga,’ it’s more of public service,” the host said. “I’d rather be in this industry, in this business, which for me, kahit papaano, nakakatulong ako sa mga kababayan in my own little way.”

Aika Robredo

Atty. Leni Robredo has long since reiterated their family rule: Only one family member can enter politics at a given time. That means her three daughters will not be running for any political position anytime soon if she wins the mayoral race in Naga in the upcoming elections.

Vice Ganda

In an interview vlog with Dr. Vicki Belo on her Youtube channel, Vice Ganda stressed that he is not planning to get into politics for now.

“Politics — sa ngayon ha? Syempre I cannot sabihin never, baka lamunin — hindi ko alam, pero sa ngayon, no,” said the It’s Showtime host.

Vice Ganda also said he was previously offered to run for public office, but he refused. “Pwede akong manalo, feeling ko pwede akong manalo kasi marami akong followers, marami akong fans — baka maraming bumoto sa ‘kin, maraming natutuwa sa akin. Pero ako, sa sarili ko, ngayon, hindi ako magaling doon.”

“So bakit ako pupunta doon? Ano, ipapahamak ko ang Pilipinas? Not because you can win, you will run,” he emphasized.

Gerald Anderson

Gerald Anderson has been a familiar face in disaster relief efforts, even going viral recently for helping communities affected by typhoon Carina. So many were curious if he ever plans to step into politics.

During an interview at the opening event of his “Got Game 3×3” league at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Gerald said he loves to help people, but he does not have plans to run for public office.

“I’m just happy to be in a position where I can also help. Nagagamit ko naman yung platform ko eh,” the actor said. “May mga kaibigan ako in politics, I know it’s very hard, napakahirap nun, and I wouldn’t jump into something na hindi ako handa or hindi ko pinag-aralan because people’s lives are at stake.”

Angel Locsin

Another familiar face whenever disaster strikes the country is Angel Locsin, whom Filipinos fondly call the “real-life Darna.” Which is probably why people have been asking her if she would ever enter politics (with many ready to rally behind her).

However, the actress has repeated time and again that she has no plans to run for public office.

“I’m not planning to run for public office. I’ve said this again and again in different instances,” she told Inquirer.net.

For the actress, she’s doing what she’s doing and helping other people as a sign of gratitude. “I’m in this position now because of the people who supported me. This is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to all of them. They are the reason that my family and I are alive and well.”

“I don’t think one has to have a reason to help others. This is actually our obligation as a human being, as a citizen of this country, as a Filipino,” she added.

Heart Evangelista

Politics is not for me ❤️ I can help without that kind of power . ❤️ https://t.co/DjETMxfk1g

— LoveMarie O. Escudero (@heart021485) July 1, 2020

Despite her husband being a prominent name in politics, Heart Evangelista believes she doesn’t need to join his world to help other people. Answering a question from an X (formerly Twitter) user asking if she would ever run for politics, the actress said: “Politics is not for me. I can help without that kind of power.”

Sharon Cuneta

With her husband Kiko Pangilinan and her cousin Gian Sotto in politics, Sharon Cuneta has also been asked if she would join them. But the Megastar has no plans to run for a position.

“Sana marami pa kong projects, para marami pa kong magawa. Hindi naman kailangang tumakbo ko, wala akong balak tumakbo ha. Alam ko nasa dugo ko, pinakasalan ko pa. Pero ako mismo, personally, now, I can do so much in my platform. I can reach out to more people with my platform but I can only do so much unfortunately,” she said during the virtual press conference of her 2021 movie Revirginized.

Kween Yasmin

In a TikTok video, Kween Yasmin addressed a comment asking if she ever plans to enter politics. The content creator known for her funny videos turned pensive to deliver a “serious” message for her followers, emphasizing that there’s a heavy responsibility for those in public office.

“Your honor, hindi po. Kasi kailangan kapag tatakbo ka, alam mo ‘yung possibilities, ‘yung alituntunin, ‘yung gusto mong ipatakbo,” said social media’s “Asia’s Songbook.”

“Hindi ‘yung sinabihan ka lang, tatakbo ka na. Kailangan desido ka talaga kasi buhay ang nakasalalay d’yan, pangalan mo nakasalalay jan, maraming tao — maraming mga mamamayang Pilipino ang nangangailangan,” she added.

In true Kween Yasmin fashion, she couldn’t help but quip at the end: “Running man, pwede pa.”

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