Boy Abunda on govt post: Not for now

TV host and talent manager Boy Abunda said he is not keen on accepting any offers for a government post, at least for now. "Am I going to accept a government post? Now, no. That is a categorical no," Abunda said in an interview aired over GMA Network's "Saksi" news program Wednesday night. He, however, said he is not closing his door to a possible position in the looming administration of Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. "Ang tanong ay (the question is), am I closing my doors? I am not," said Abunda, who is a close friend of Aquino's sister, actress/TV host Kris Aquino-Yap.

He added he has much to attend to right now, such as managing talents and his contract with ABS-CBN. He said he may consider accepting a position in the government once his contract ends next year. Aquino, who is now in the process of searching for people who will compose his official family once he assumes the presidency, said he is considering Abunda as his Tourism secretary owing to his communication skills. Abunda, in the interview, admitted being hurt by statements questioning his ability to take on a government position. "For people who think, 'he's just an entertainer, why don't you give him a job just in entertainment?' (The word) ‘just’ bothers me," he said. "Pag magdesisyon akong magtrabaho sa gobyerno, paghahandaan ko naman ito (If I decide to work in the government, of course I'll prepare for it)," Abunda added. Abunda co-hosted Startalk and Show and Tell on GMA Network before transferring to ABS-CBN in 1999. - KBK, GMANews.TV