TELEVISION host Boy Abunda has ruled out the possibility of running for a national post in 2022, but is “not closing doors” on a local bid or an appointed position in government.
Abunda confirmed on Monday that he has been invited to seek a senatorial seat in the coming elections, but has declined.
“I’m not ready to run for the Senate. I have been invited to run for the Senate. I don’t have the tenacity, I don’t have the strength to run a national campaign. I don’t have the money. I don’t have the national political organization. It takes a national organization to run a national campaign. Kailangan mo ng logistics. I don’t have that,” he said.
“Most important of all, wala akong apoy sa bituka. I don’t have fire in my belly for the Senate,” Abunda added.
The King of Talk, however, mentioned that his “doors are open” for a local post, whether elected or appointed.
The veteran host, who hails from Borongan, Eastern Samar, explained that he has been considering a local bid since mid-2020, when his home network of 22 years, ABS-CBN, was forced off free television after its broadcast franchise was denied by a congressional panel.
“I was very emotional, I was very angry. Ang kapatid ko, sabi niya sa akin, ‘E ‘di tumakbo ka sa atin, mag-congressman ka,’” he said.
Abunda’s sister, Maria Fe Abunda, is the incumbent congresswoman of the lone district of Eastern Samar.
“It was half-meant, but I knew when she said that, it also came from the heart. ‘Why not go to public service?’ Ang aming nanay at tatay ay nasa public service. Ang kapatid ko ay three-term mayor. Ngayon, congresswoman,” he shared.
“I’m not closing my doors on politics. Doors are open,” Abunda went on.(ABS-CBN News)
