Why Marian Rivera wouldn’t run for public office
Politics and show biz aren’t the strange bedfellows they were once thought of—at least not in the Philippines, where actors and other celebrities have long been trying, and proving, their luck in public office.
Just look at some of the names who made headlines in the weeklong filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 elections earlier this month.
Marian Rivera, one of today’s biggest stars, admitted that she has, on not a few occasions, received proposals to run for a government position. “Marami!” she revealed in a recent interview with Lifestyle and select reporters.
But she never gave them anything remotely close to a second thought. Why would she? “Ano naman ang i-o-offer ko sa kanila?” the ever no-nonsense actress quipped before laughing.
Rivera would much rather focus on her charity work and raising her kids—Zia, 8, and Sixto, 5—with her husband, actor and TV host Dingdong Dantes. Or she can stick to what she does best and use her platform for politically and socially relevant projects, like her latest movie “Balota,” which premiered at the 2024 Cinemalaya Film Festival and started its nationwide theatrical run last Oct. 16.
Produced by GMA Pictures and directed by Kip Oebanda, the satire drama thriller is set in 2007 in a rural municipality, where locals are compelled to choose between a former sexy actor and a land-grabbing tycoon as their next mayor. The tight race leads to conflicts. And violence inevitably descends on the town come election day.
Amid the chaos, Emmy (Rivera), a strict but well-loved teacher, flees to the forest, fending off goons and risking her life to protect the ballot box containing the last remaining copy of the election results. However, she ends up paying a steep price for upholding her principles. In her dogged persistence to defend the democratic process, her community finds itself caught in the crossfire.
For Rivera, the message of the film couldn’t be more timely. “I hope it inspires viewers to reflect. Voting is something we need to do, not only for ourselves, but also for our loved ones. We all want a peaceful election and winners who will genuinely lead us and who will be there for us,” Rivera said.
