People were surprised when former showbiz personality Joed Serrano filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Oct. 8. He decided to run for the Senate after learning that most candidates failed to mention the promotion of LGBT rights in their platforms.
Speaking to Manila Standard Entertainment, the film and concert producer said that he is determined to push for the LGBT community’s rights and be the “voice and torchbearer” of those who were oppressed mainly because of their gender preference and identity.
“I am the first Senatorial candidate who is vocal about my sexual orientation. I know marami dyan pero they were never vocal about their sexual orientation. It’s true that gays are tolerated but not fully accepted. We need more numbers, we need more people in the government who are openly gay like me to push for the community’s rights and create laws that will protect every member from discrimination, laws that will give them equal rights,” Serrano said adding that he would push for Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Bill to finally become a law.
“And apart from that, if ever I get elected, I will find ways to lower the electricity and water bills, as well as increase the minimum wage of ordinary workers,” he added.
Serrano believes that running for a national post would be easier for him to push for the causes and issues that he wanted to focus on. He would have more power to expedite the process since all the projects that he’d like to bring forward need immediate attention.
“I could have run for a local post but these issues that I have mentioned are of national importance. I believe, the Senate is the best place for me to address these concerns,” Serrano said.
Asked for his political color, Serrano said that he wanted to wear all the colors to symbolize unity.
“If you saw me when I filed my COC, I was wearing almost all the colors. Kulang na lang yung green. I think we need more unity in the government than being divided by our political beliefs,” he stated.
Serrano made a name in show business as a former member of the variety show That’s Entertainment Monday group and film producer of various films such as Anak ng Macho Dancer.
“I am a businessman now and if I were given a chance to be in the government, my businesses will still continue. That’s my bread and butter,” he clarified.
Serrano plans to harness the power and extensive reach of social media to campaign believing that the pandemic has created a paradigm shift where people get their information using their mobile devices.
As a film producer, Serrano also plans to organize the inaugural Godfather Productions festival that will showcase eight films he produced this pandemic, including a movie starring Nora Aunor (Kontrabida), a producer’s cut of Anak Ng Macho Dancer, and his biopic top-billed by Wendell Ramos and showbiz newbie Charles Nathan.
