Rosmar Tan will no longer be a candidate in the upcoming 2025 Philippine midterm elections.
On January 30, the entrepreneur and social media personality officially withdrew her candidacy for Manila City Councilor.
Photo: Rosmar Tan
In a statement posted on her Facebook account, Tan revealed that her decision to run for public office was influenced by a desire to help more people.
“Sa totoo lang, lahat ng partido na tatakbo sa pagka-mayor sa Manila ay kinukuha akong under sa kanila. Pero never ako nag-oo sa kahit anong partido. Mas nanaig sakin ung gusto ko mag isa lang ako [To be honest, all the parties running for mayor in Manila have asked me to join them. But I never agreed to any party. What prevailed for me was my desire to stand on my own],” she stressed.
Despite receiving advice from others not to continue her bid, she persisted in the hope of extending help to the public. However, she noted that she later realized that politics can be “dirty” and that it hinders her genuine acts of service due to the restrictions on distributing aid and financial assistance during the campaign period.
“Pero as time goes by, naisip ko na di ako masaya mangampanya lalo na nung time na bawal na mamigay ng paayuda at pera sa mga taong nangangailangan kasi considered vote buying na daw yun [But as time goes by, I realized that I wasn’t happy campaigning, especially during the time when it was prohibited to give aid and money to people in need because it was considered vote-buying],” she said.
“Ang hirap sa pakiramdam na may lalapit sakin at hihingi ng tulong pero bawal kong bigyan dahil baka daw ako mapicturan. Bawal daw [It feels heavy when someone approaches me and asks for help, but I can’t give it because I might get photographed. They say it’s not allowed].”
Tan also opened up about her learnings, emphasizing that just because she was capable of running for public office, it didn’t mean she should, “Hindi porket alam mong kaya mo ay kailangan mo ng tumakbo. Mas masarap pa rin sa pakiramdam tumulong ng galing sa puso. Pagtulong na walang kapalit [Just because you know you can, doesn’t mean you have to run. It still feels better to help from the heart, to help without expecting anything in return].”
She added, “Masarap tumulong nang walang hinihingin kapalit sa mga tao. Ganun siguro talaga kapag bukal sa puso mo ang pagtulong sa mga tao [It feels good to help others without expecting anything in return. Maybe that’s truly how it is when helping others comes from the heart].”
Photo: Rosmar Tan
The social media personality then expressed gratitude to everyone who trusted her and to her family for their support throughout this journey, “Thank you sa mga nagtiwala sakin sa maikling panahon pero di po talaga ito para sa akin [Thank you to those who trusted me for a short time, but it’s not really for me].”
Tan, who is expecting her third child, confessed that she also saw her pregnancy as a sign not to pursue a political career.
“Sabi ko rin kung mabubuntis ako meaning hindi ako dapat tumakbo and ayan na nga, three months na kami ng third baby ko [I also said that if I get pregnant, it means I shouldn’t run, and here it is, I’m already three months along with my third baby],” she admitted.
Despite her decision to withdraw from the mayoral race, Tan assured her supporters that her commitment to helping others would continue, “Hindi man matuloy ang pagtakbo ko, pangako ko sa mga taong nangangailangan. Pagtakbo ko lang ang ititigil ko pero hindi ang pag tulong sa mga tao [Even if my candidacy doesn’t push through, my promise to those in need remains. I will only stop running, but not helping people].”
“Wala akong pinagsisisihan kasi si Lord ang nagbalik sakin ng biyaya sobra sobra pa. Ganun talaga siguro kapag bukal sa puso mo ang pag tulong sa mga tao [I have no regrets because the Lord has blessed me abundantly. Maybe that’s just how it is when helping others comes from the heart],” she concluded.
On October 1, 2024, Tan filed her certificate of candidacy as an independent candidate for councilor in Manila’s first district. As an owner of several businesses, including a beauty product line, a pet shop, a restaurant, and real estate, she has gained a massive following on social media, particularly TikTok. She is also known for her charitable work.
ALSO READ: Meet the Celebrities and Social Media Personalities Running in the 2025 Philippine Midterm Elections
