EXCLUSIVE: Angelu de Leon defends actors joining politics: ‘May pressure sa amin to really step up’

Angelu de Leon was once the star of the iconic ‘90s teen drama T.G.I.S; she now serves as a city councilor in the second district of Pasig City under Mayor Vico Sotto. 

In her exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Angelu talked about what she loves most about her public persona now and what side of herself she has discovered outside of showbiz.

“I’m just grateful for everything that’s been given to me. So parang yung mga times na yung mga projects na nagagawa ko, parang na-explore ko na ang lahat. Na-discover ko na seryoso pala ako (laughs). Kasi normally makulit ako. Pag nasa councilor mode ako, lumalabas yung pagiging strikto, pagiging metikoloso, pagiging matanong ko. Siguro yun yun. Kasi I know for a fact that I don’t know anything and everything, parang ganun. So every time na may dumarating na mga ordinansa, binubusisi ko na gusto ko makausap yung mga resourse speakers. Talagang I try to get the knowledge na hanggang maintindihan ko siya,” she shared.

Angelu also addressed why she is not bothered by the constant criticism hurled at celebrities who choose to run for office just like her. She also acknowledged that being an actress was a big factor in getting her elected. 

“Sometimes you can’t blame them. You can’t blame them kasi meron namang nababalitaan. Hindi rin naman ako puwedeng magpaka-ipokrito na magmalinis na dapat hindi niyo kami isipan ng ganyan. Pero totoo, may pressure sa amin to really step up. Because I would admittedly, for a fact, na kaya rin naman ako nanalo was mainly because I was popular. Pero it doesn’t have to stop there. And it shouldn’t stop from there. Kailangan on your own matuto kang alamin kung ano yung mga responsibilidad ng posisyon na pinasok mo. Because at the end of the day, after everything, hindi ka na nandun dahil sa popularity mo, ang titingnan na sa ‘yo kung ano yung nagawa mo, kung ano yung ginagawa mo,” she explained during the Marie France Marie France’s Go Lose Pounds weight management program in Makati City.

When asked about what she loves most about being a councilor, the 47-year-old former teen heartthrob shares what she is truly most proud of in her term.

“It’s creating ordinances that can change not just a community, but the next generation. Sabihin na natin yung simple na paggawa ng CLAYGO na ordinansa, it may sound na parang alam na ng lahat yan, pero iba yung pag ini-institutionalize mo na, na alam mong kahit mapalitan ka bilang pulitiko, the law would still be there. So yung mga ganung small details na yan, that surprises me. And even up to now, parang alam mo na may impact siya.  And I’m grateful that I was able to have a second term and that I continue to prove myself na I’m not just a famous actress di ba?”

With the next city electoral period two years away, Angelu admitted she has not set plans at the moment. “It’s too early to tell. And I have my principles naman kaya una muna yung trabaho bago yung ambisyon. Yun yung aking parang motto in this line of politics.”