AS THE number of athletes –particularly basketball players – entering politics, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao, himself a former vice governor, shared a few thoughts with voters and athletes themselves.
Just last week, athletes filed their certificate of candidacy (COC) and certificates of nomination and acceptance (CNA), revealing familiar faces and new athletes wanting to be public servants.
Many of the well-known political candidates are artists or athletes, which appeals to many people simply because their names have already been established for a long time.
Guiao’s advice
Former Senator Manny Pacquiao, re-electionist San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, and Councilors James Yap and Don Allado are among the athletes who have filed their candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections.
Renren Ritualo is also running for San Juan councilor, Kenneth Duremdes of the MPBL party-list, Congressman Franz Pumaren in Quezon City’s third district, Cebu City Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros.
Along with them are PBA star Danny Ildefonso, who is running for councilor in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, and Jeric Teng, who just ran for councilor in Gumaca, Quezon.
Given that Guiao previously served as Pampanga’s vice governor for nine years and as a congressman for one year, he urged voters to vote carefully and thoroughly research candidates before casting their votes.
“Ang sinasabi ko rin sa mga bumoboto, hindi porke basketball player, artista, or sikat, eh iboboto mo,” Guiao told the reporters.
“Pag-aralan niyo mabuti kung anong klase pagkatao niya, kung ano yung programa niya, kung ano yung record niya before, kung may kaalaman siya doon sa pinasok niya.”
Earn my support
The PBA champion coach stated unequivocally that he has no objections to his fellow athletes entering politics, but he will not endorse them simply because they are from the same sport.
“So ‘di ko naman ie-endorse kunwari ang isang basketball player dahil pareho kami ng pinanggalingan. Nasa sa botante din ‘yan na mamili pa rin sila. ‘Wag lang ‘yung sikat ang iboboto nila.”
“Wala naman akong problema doon, ano. Kung gusto nilang maramdaman kung pa’no magsilbi as a politician, okay lang ‘yon,” he added.
Meanwhile, Guiao said his political career is over, and he has settled into his coaching job. The Rain or Shine Elastos Painters are now in the semifinals of the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup, demonstrating the success of his efforts.
At the end of the day, he will always be happiest when surrounded by basketball. He also believes that whether you are in or out of politics, you can always help the Filipino people.
