We recently had the opportunity to speak with George Royeca, the first nominee of the Angas Partylist, who has stirred some controversy lately. While we remain cautious, his conversation with the media felt natural and confident—he clearly understands his goals and the people he represents.

Aside from having a face that’s good-looking on screen, Angkas partylist first nominee George Royeca shares how close he is to the entertainment industry – an industry he once poured his heart into.

“My family is on the entertainment side talaga, especially the Ilagans. The Ilagans, the Arevalos, the Gibbs, we’re all one family. My brother is a director, Direk Jon, his wife is Veronique del Rosario-Corpuz, she’s with Viva. I used to actually work in the entertainment industry alongside them. I used to be a musical director, so I did a lot of scoring for some TV shows. I was also a floor director in a past life. It’s been a journey.”

Which sector does the Angkas Partylist stand for?

“Our focus is really livelihood. Madami talagang ginagamit ang motorsiklo sa hanapbuhay, maraming iba’t ibang batas at panukala na kailangan i-update para mabigyan ng benepisyo ang iba’t ibang manggagawa ng ginagamit ang motorsiklo para sa hanapbuhay. Essentially, that’s the primary focus of our partylist.”

“Si Vice Ganda is one of the people who has been endorsing the partylist and the reason for this is that she herself is an informal worker, in a sense, especially in the entertainment industry. Matagal na kaming makaibigan ni Vice, napag-usapan na talaga namin ang representation not only the informal working sector, similar with what she’s gone through but also the LGBT, which we also represent.”

What made George Royeca push for an Angkas Partylist?

“Ayoko talaga gawin. Like I said, walong taon ko na pinaglalaban ‘yung sektor ko at maganda naman ‘yung naging resulta, hindi naman natin kailangan pumasok sa pulitika para makatulong, naintindihan natin ‘yun. Nag-rally tayo, umabot tayo sa korte suprema, we went to different hearings sa senado at kongreso, nag-media din tayo – tinulungan tayo ng mga kaibigan natin sa media para ilabas ‘yung adbokasiya natin, ‘yung pinaglalaban natin. But I think ‘yung turning point sa akin is, medyo matagal ko na hinihintay ‘yung batas, meron pa din mga probisyon sa batas na pinasa ng mga kaibigan natin sa kongreso na hindi pa din nakatutok para sa ka-gulong. So, ito ang gusto kong ayusin.And more than just the law, ito ‘yung catalyst, ‘yung batas na imbes iasa natin sa ibang tao, tayo na lang ang gumawa, and matagal na din tayo naghihintay, so I think it’s right time for somebody in the sector to represent the sector. Pangalawa, sa kurso ng paglalaban natin para sa ka-gulong, na-realize natin na meron palang dalawang klaseng manggagawa sa Pilipinas. Manggagawa na empleyado and everyone else. And kung everyone else ka, ang tingin sa’yo ng gobyerno ay impormal na manggagawa ka. Medyo merong maling pananaw dito and we really need to shift the paradigm kasi maraming nasasakupan ng informal sector or informal workers, showbiz for example, reporters, talents, scriptwriters, directors. Sa hanay ko naman, habal habal, even mga TODA, even TODA is considered as informal even if may prangkisa sa gobyerno. Bakit? Kasi hindi sila nabibigyan ng PAG-IBIG, ng PHILHEALTH, ng SSS at iba’t ibang mga ayuda. So, napansin ko to at ‘yung kumpanya ko nakipag-MOA sa iba’t ibang ahensya. Pero kulang ang MOA, kahit kilalanin ang Angkas biker, marami pa din mga panukala na nakaangkop para sa empleyado kasi it’s really built for employees. Kailangan palitan natin ang batas para hindi maiwan itong mga nagta-trabaho din kasi wala naman deperensya, walang pinagkaiba ang mga manggagawa na impormal sa empleyado. Pare-pareho lang tayo nagbabayad ng buwis sa VAT. In fact, ‘yung mga nagto-TODA, mga nagta-tricycle, at mga nagha-habal habal, gasolina binibili niyan sa araw-araw. Bilyon ang katumbas niyan sa kaban ng bayan pero walang sistema para sa kanila kaya hindi sila naaabot ng iba’t ibang benepisyo na ‘yung programa, meron na pero hindi napapaunlakan ng mga sektor na ‘to. There’s about 17 million informal workers in the Philippines and if we’re able to create the necessary legislation to empower them para mabigyan sila ng tamang benepisyo, basic minimum needs lang. Edukasyon, training kung ano man para sa skills nila, pangkalusugan, pabahay and insurance. Kapag nabigay natin ito, magkakaroon sila ng safety net. Makakatulong ito sa pagpapalakas at pagpapalago ng kanilang hanapbuhay.”

How was George Royeca’s experience campaigning for the first time?

“Seven days a week, narinig naman sa boses ko na parang di na siya babalik (talking with his husky voice). So, inaasahan kong bumalik ‘to pagkatapos na ng kampanya but yeah, it’s a very interesting exercise kasi umiikot ka sa iba’t ibang lalawigan, iba’t ibang tao ang nakakausap mo, you’re also alongside other politicians that share your advocacies. So, talagang jampacked ‘yung schedule, nakakapagod pero nakakatuwa din kasi nakikita mo ‘yung gusto mong tulungan. Ako naman, sa kalagayan ko ngayon, iniikot lahat ng mga biker na natulungan ko na din. Hinihingi ko ‘yung tulong nila, they’ve also become our advocates. So talagang lumalaki nang lumalaki ang komunidad namin. So ang dami ko din natututunan ngayong kampanya, natutuwa ako.”

How does it feel that he’s getting good reception?

“For me, hindi naman tayo kilala na pulitiko. Hindi din tayo kilala na partylist. Ang dami sa partylist na sumabak ngayong eleksyon. A lot of them are carrying brand names, a lot of them are backed by large political machineries, mga sanay na, mga beterano pero kapag naririnig ng mga tao ang plataporma natin, it cuts through a lot of the campaign machineries. Talagang nag-iiba ‘yung pananaw nila. I was just in Iloilo the other day, kasama ko si Vice Ganda and kinausap namin mga TODA dun, mga ibang leaders, and sinabi sa akin ng TODA na first time niya makarinig na nakalatag ‘yung plataporma. Iniinsist ko talaga na masabi ‘yung plataporma ko, as much as I can and exactly how we’re gonna help the bikers. Kasi ginawa ko na ‘to, 8 years ko na pinaglalaban ang mga ka-gulong. May resibo na tayo bago pa tayo pumasok sa pulitika. Itong ginawa natin, iniinstitutionalize lang natin ‘to para mabigay ‘yung oportunidad sa mas maraming tao hindi lang sa Angkas bikers.”

You’ve probably heard a lot of partylist nominees talk about the importance of their existence but George Royeca is convincing why Angkas Partylist exists. And not only because of what it can do for the people who ride motorcycles but also the impact of the bills they want to create for the entire nation, especially the working class – the underprivileged and working class. And they’re not just words; he has a list of proof that certifies his claims.

In case you’re wondering, Angkas Partylist or ANGKASangga Partylist is #107 in the ballot.