Deputy Speaker and Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza said on Wednesday that he supported his son Kuya Kim Atienza when he decided to transfer to GMA Network.
During a face-to-face gathering with the entertainment press at Supersam Restaurant in Quezon City, Lito recalled how Kuya Kim approached him for advice on a career move.
"Sa ABS-CBN binigay ko ang lahat ng aking panahon. Hindi ko sila iniwanan sa gitna ng digmaan. I gave it all. Yan ang pinag-aralan ko sa UP. Tama ba yung ginawa ko?" Lito quoted Kuya Kim as saying.
Lito answered Kuya Kim: "Sundin mo ang iyong kunsensiya. Kaya I support you."
The vice presidential aspirant also defended his son from bashers following his network transfer.
"Kung si Kim umalis sa gitna ng giyera, ang tawag doon deserter. Pero lumaban si Kim," said the running mate of Manny Pacquiao.
In a separate interview, Lito said: “Talaga namang nalubak ang ABS. You know that. Nawala ‘yung network nila, nabura ‘yung kanilang giant status. ‘Yung kanyang career path, nalubak din."
“After one year, more than one year in fact, palagay ko eh, pwede nang nag-isip isip siya, ‘Where am I going in my present position? Eh meron namang opportunity with the biggest network today? GMA network," Lito added.
Kim, who was part of ABS-CBN for 17 years, said that he understands the sentiments of die-hard Kapamilya fans.
Lito also revealed his son is not interested in politics.
"Ayoko nun. I want to dedicate my life to show business and to my family," Lito quoted his son as saying.
Lito said he and Manny are running in 2022 to fight corruption.
"We have to fight it, we have to change it. Otherwise, we will remain poor. Matatalino ang Pilipino. Kaya natin talunin ang Singapore, Hong Kong at Japan," he said.
Lito added: "Let's make the next administration a clean government."
The former Manila mayor also cited the winnability of Pacquiao, saying the boxing champ is the most popular candidate in the coming national election.
"Kelan man never ako nag-isip na I'm greater than Manny Pacquiao. Si Manny, iniimbitahan ng mga hari sa buong mundo. Inmbitahan na rin siya ng Oxford University at ng mga tanyag na pamantasan. Inimbita na ba sila ng Oxford? Manny Pacquiao was given a standing ovation at Oxford University. Meron bang kandidato ngayon na puwedeng magsabi ako pinakinggan ako ng Oxford University. Only Manny Pacquiao," said Lito.
Asked what the people will achieve if the Manny-Lito tandem will win in 2022, Lito answered: "For sure, magkakaroon tayo ng tunay na gobyerno na nagtutulungan."
Lito also appealed to the public to support Buhay Partylist nominees Von Valdepenas, Brian Paz and Xavy Padilla.
"With my achievements on entrepreneurship, my current stint in government service, and my track record in community organizations, I have proven to be a leader demonstrating integrity, strong business ethics, and with the energy to influence and build responsive, competitive teams focused on continuous improvement and social change.