Movie director Carlo Caparas eyeing Senate seat

Movie director Carlo J. Caparas on Tuesday disclosed his intention to seek a senatorial post in next year's elections even as petition to halt his recognition as National Artist gained grounds at the Supreme Court. In her report in "24 Oras," GMA News' Aubrey Carampel said Caparas made the announcement during the press conference of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao's new movie “Ang Pangarap Kong Jackpot." Caparas said his decision was a result of the politicking of those against his National Artist recognition. "Minsan pumapasok sa isip ko talaga na kung ganito, nakikita ko na pinupulitika masyado ang bawat nangyayari... kailangan magkaroon ng malinis na pulitiko na maganda intensyon sa pulitika," he said.

Earlier, the SC ruled in favor of the petitioners who contested President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s choice of Caparas and three others - Cecile Guidote Alvarez, Jose 'Pitoy' Moreno, and Francisco 'Bobby' Mañosa - for the prestigious National Artists awards. In its decision, the high tribunal issued a status quo order to stop the President from conferring the rank and title of national artist even to those whose nominations were not questioned. In a separate report aired at "Saksi," National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario twitted Caparas' political plans as "shallow." "Kaya pala siya ang pinaka-active and aggressive and very vocal in facing the media to air his comments against us, meron pala siyang ganoong political intention. And babaw naman niya," Almario said. (So that's why he's been the one who's very vocal to the media. He has a political intention. How shallow of him.) Caparas, who supported President Gloria Arroyo's candidacy in 2004, admitted that he is still clueless on where he would get the necessary support needed to pursue his plans. Malacañang, for its part, has yet to comment on Caparas’ announcement. - GMANews.TV