Philippine Politics in my Candy Crush Game

Candy Crush is a very fun game. Addictive for some. I prefer Candy Crush Soda. A new feature Candy Crush has introduced in the past year or so is the ability to gain extra power ups or lives by watching an ad. Thankfully they are mostly very short and all of them can be muted. Most of these ads are for games or food. However, one ad I was first shown on Friday, September 17th 2021 was very unexpected. It was a political ad for Vilma Santos-Recto.

What is this political ad doing in my Candy Crush game? No one had yet filed their candidacy and campaigning before the allotted time is illegal. Yet, here is this 10 second ad touting the public service of this woman who is currently the Deputy-Speaker of the House.

Given her history it is unlikely this is simply a testing of the waters. She served as governor of Batangas and the Mayor of Lipa for 9 years in each office and has spent the last 5 years in the House of Representatives. Before embarking on a political career she was a successful actress. One could say the stage and screen are the prefect training ground for anyone who hopes to become a successful politician. 

Next year she is facing a big decision. Retire or run for the Senate. It's a false dialectic. She could just as easily go back to acting or get a job as a fry cook at Jollibees.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1487273/its-senate-run-or-retirement-for-rep-vilma-santos-recto

House Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto is looking at two options for the upcoming 2022 elections—a senatorial run or retirement from politics.

Santos-Recto said as of the moment, she is discerning on her move for next year. Currently, she is serving as the representative of the 6th district of Batangas.

“As of now, I’m still  discerning on my plans for 2022. I may run for Senate or retire from politics,” Santos-Recto said in a text message.

Santos-Recto is the wife of Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.

She was the mayor of the City of Lipa from 1998 to 2007 before she was elected as the governor of the province of Batangas in 2007.

Santos-Recto then ran for a congressional seat in 2016 and won.

Oh, look! Vilma is married to the current Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto. He was first elected to the Senate in 2010. That means his two term limit is coming to an end next year. With his wife taking his place the Recto family will keep a toehold on one of the most powerful branches of government. Why wouldn't she run?

Frankly, I don't care what this lady decides to do. What I do care about is her political ad in my Candy Crush game. This ad, debuting on Friday September 17th, 2021, is a vision of things to come. I fully expect to see ads for Duterte, Go, Pacquiao, and everyone else who runs for office next year. Thank goodness they can be muted.