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Viral sensation and pares eatery owner Diwata is setting sights on a congressional seat, formalizing his bid with the filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Wednesday.

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Jose Miguel Dumaual

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — (UPDATED) Viral sensation and pares eatery owner Diwata set sights on a congressional seat and formalized his bid with the filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Wednesday.</p><p>Diwata, whose real name is Deo Balbuena, is the fourth nominee of Vendors party-list, which he said advocates for the rights and interests of street vendors.</p><p>&quot;Base sa mga karanasan ko — siguro maraming nakakakita sa social media kung paano ako makipaglaban bilang isang vendor — hindi ako nag-atubili na sumama sa kanila (party-list) para ipaglaban ang karapatan ng bawat maninindang Pilipino,&quot; he said.</p><p>Citing his personal experience, Diwata said he knows firsthand the issues faced by street vendors, including racing a capital and leasing or finding a space to do business. These, he said, are central to the causes his party-list aims to fight for.</p><p>&quot;Ang intensyon lang namin ay mabuhay nang patas na ito lang ang kaya naming gawin,&quot; he said.</p><p>Diwata, who recently joined showbiz via the primetime hit &quot;Batang Quiapo,&quot; expressed confidence he can &quot;divide-divide&quot; his time between a potential House stint and his growing pares business.</p><p>&quot;Siyempre, magpo-focus tayo sa party-list, pero hindi naman puwedeng pabayaan ko rin ang tindahan ko,&quot; he said candidly.</p><p>Diwata is also not discounting the possibility of treating the House of Representatives, if he becomes a member, to &quot;unli-rice and free soft drinks&quot; to go with his signature pares. <span data-teams="true" id="isPasted"><span dir="ltr">&quot;Ay, bakit hindi kung gusto nila!&quot; he quipped.<br/></span></span></p><div><strong>BACKED BY VENDORS</strong></div><div><span data-teams="true" id="isPasted"><span dir="ltr">Diwata&#x27;s filing of was cheered on by supporters at the Quirino Grandstand, among them Lucila Lacuna Damscao, president of Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market Vendors Federation Inc.</span></span><span data-teams="true"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></div><div><span data-teams="true"><span dir="ltr">&quot;Supporter po ako kasi vendor ako. Vendors kami sa Pasig. Naiintindihan ko na layunin ng Vendors [party-list] na maunawaan ang problema ng mga vendors. Nakikita niyo malaki ang magiging tulong at suporta niyan sa mga maliliit na manininda,&quot; she said.</span></span><span data-teams="true"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></div><div><span data-teams="true"><span dir="ltr">&quot;Siyempre &#x27;yung mga iligal, kasama rin namin &#x27;yan. Baka ang Vendors may magawa sa pagpupwestuhan ng mga illegal vendors kamukha ni Diwata malaki ang naging tulong. Kaya umaasa &#x27;yung maliliit na manininda na matulungan rin ng Vendors party-list,&quot; Damasco added.</span></span><span data-teams="true"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></div><div><span data-teams="true"><span dir="ltr">Balbuena expressed gratitude his fellow vendors for backing his bid for a seat in Congress.</span></span></div><div><span data-teams="true"><span dir="ltr">Asked about his lack of political experience, Diwata answered: &quot;Hayaan niyo muna ako, bigyan ng pagkakataon, &#x27;diba? Huwag niyo akong husgahan. Gagawin ko ang lahat ng kakayahan ko para matulungan ang lahat ng vendors.&quot;</span></span></div>

<p>Viral sensation and pares eatery owner Diwata is setting sights on a congressional seat, formalizing his bid with the filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Wednesday.</p>

'Unli-rice' at Batasan? Pares sensation Diwata seeks congressional seat

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'Unli-rice' at Batasan? Pares sensation Diwata seeks congressional seat

Jose Miguel Dumaual,

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 02, 2024 04:00 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 02, 2024 06:09 PM PHT

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Diwata

Deo Balbuena

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