MANILA — In a significant move within the Philippine political landscape, Deo ‘Diwata’ Balbuena, co-owner of the popular Diwata Pares and a recognized figure online, has declared his candidacy for a congressional seat. Representing the Vendors Party-list, Balbuena steps forward as the fourth nominee, underscoring his commitment to advocating for small business owners, particularly street vendors.
According to Philippines News Agency, Balbuena’s announcement was made at the Manila Hotel Tent City where he, alongside fellow nominees, submitted their certificate of nomination and acceptance (CON-CAN) to the Commission on Elections this past Wednesday. The group aims to elevate the concerns of small vendors to the national stage, with Balbuena expressing their collective ambition to enhance the lives of vendors across the nation. “We are here to uplift the life and become a voice for all the vendors across the Philippines,” he articulated during his speech.
The upcoming election will allocate 63 seats for party-list groups, with a maximum of three nominees per group. Balbuena’s potential election could see him pushing for legislative changes to simplify the bureaucratic processes for vendors, such as streamlining permit registrations. Furthermore, he discussed the creation of a cooperative tailored to the needs of small business owners.
Addressing potential concerns about balancing his responsibilities, Balbuena assured that his focus would remain on the party-list, though he would not neglect his business. “Of course, we will focus on the party-list, but we cannot neglect the store,” he stated when asked how he plans to manage his time between legislative duties and business commitments.