Actor says movies on congressmen based on real stories

MANILA, Philippines - An actor claimed yesterday that movies depicting corrupt congressmen are based on real stories and not just a product of the imagination of filmmakers.

Leo Martinez, who is also a director of the Film Academy of the Philippines, told radio station dzBB that the movie industry is just highlighting the realities existing in the country when they produce movies about corruption and crimes allegedly committed by members of Congress. “Art mirrors life,” he said.

Martinez, who depicts a fictional character named Congressman Manikmanaog in comedy shows, said as long as there are lawmakers who are involved in corruption and other high crimes he would continue to portray a corrupt congressman in the movies.

He was reacting to a House resolution seeking to ban the depiction of congressman as villains in the movies.

Martinez assured congressmen that they are not being singled out by the movie industry.

“I have played the role of a corrupt governor, judge, senator and other high government officials, “ he said.

Martinez vowed to continue portraying corrupt government officials, saying, “My role as a corrupt congressman has no term limit.”

Meanwhile, Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (CBCP-Nassa), said that lawmakers should not be offended when they are depicted as lawbreakers in movies and on television.

“Congressmen should take this as a challenge to change their image,” said Gariguez.

“Not all of them (congressmen) have bad records, but there are many of them. We have to admit that there is some truth to this. This portrayal is the perception of the people (about them),” he added.

Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. had filed Resolution 2140 that urged the local TV and movie industry to minimize, prevent, or stop typecasting congressmen and congresswomen as villains or crooks in movies and telenovelas, which create stereotypes or negative public perception of members of the House of Representatives.

Gariguez said, “If you want change, you should not do it through the passage of a law to pressure the people…that is suppression of their right (of expression) but they should change themselves, and live righteously because even if there is already a law but they would still have the same attitude, then this (bad image portrayal) would still happen.”  –With Evelyn Macairan