Actor Raymond Bagatsing said he decided to run for vice mayor of Manila in the upcoming elections because he wants to extend more help to the people of the city.
Helping poor people is nothing new for Bagatsing as he's been a member of the missionary foundation Maharlika before deciding to enter the world of politics.
"I've been with them for 20 years. We are a missionary foundation, tumutulong kami sa iba’t ibang nasalanta ng kalamidad at iba't ibang kung ano mang kailangan naming maitutulong sa mga nagugutom sa buong Pilipinas (we extend help to disaster victims and to all the hungry people all over the Philippines)," he said during Manila Bulletin's Hot Seat forum.
Bagatsing said their foundation has already established quite a good number of day care centers, where they apply neo-communism, in the country.
His running mate, mayoral candidate Atty. Alex Lopez, said he initially tapped Bagatsing as the vice mayoral bet for his older brother, Rep. Manny Lopez of Tondo's first district, who later backed out from running.
"I asked Raymond if he can be the vice mayor of Manny, so he said 'yes', without any conditions. That's how principled Raymond was. Sabi niya 'basta makakatulong tayo sa bayan, basta honest government lang tayo.' Sabi ko, 'eh sigurado, si Manny yan' ('as long as we can help our country, and it's an honest government'. I said, 'that's for sure because it is Manny)," he recalled.
"Until he decided otherwise and I approached Raymond sabi ko 'Ako na, ayaw na ni Manny' (I'll run, Manny doesn't want anymore'). He politely obliged naman," he continued.
Bagatsing also said the members of his foundation urged him to run so that they can help more people since their help is limited as it is only coming from their own pockets and fundraising initiatives.
If elected, Bagatsing said he would create a council that will focus on the people of Manila.
"I'd like to have a makataong council. Lahat po ng agenda - from education to hanapbuhay (jobs), to health. Gusto ko lang maibigay sa mga tao, lalo na sa ating mga marginal Manilenos ‘yung mga basic necessities na pangangailangan (I just want to give the basic necessities to the people, especially to the marginalized Manileños)," he said.
"I also believe in my mayor’s vision. Feeling ko talagang aasenso ang Maynila (I feel that Manila will progress) with our partnership."