WHEN we checked on him on Monday morning, Yeng Guiao was in the thick of preparations for what he figures to be a pretty hectic week.
Just not in politics.
The former Pampanga representative, vice governor and board member wasn't among the personalities who have filed their certificate of candidacies (COC) for the midterm elections set on May 12, 2025. Neither does he plan to beat the October 8 deadline for the filing of candidacies for local and national positions.
"We talked as a family and we decided that I will no longer run for public office," the multi-titled PBA coach told SPIN.ph on Monday during a break in Rain or Shine's practice ahead of its Governors' Cup semifinal series against the TNT Tropang Giga.
COLUMN: PH sports the big winner after Guiao victory in (Supreme) Court
That for all intents and purposes closes the book on that part of the life of the son of the late former Pampanga governor Bren Z. Guiao, who authored victories similar to his triumphs as a PBA underdog in his 18 years in the political arena.
The biggest of those victories came in 2013 when he took on one of Pampanga's long-entrenched political families and won a seat in Congress.
As representative of Pampanga's First District, Guiao made his mark as principal sponsor of the Athletes' Incentives Act, which raised government incentives for Filipino athletes' victories in multi-sports events to as much as P5 million for an Olympic gold medal.
"Dati P1 million lang 'yon," he said.
Guiao also authored House Bill 5891, otherwise known as the 'Samboy Lim Law' which requires students to undergo CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) training before they graduate. That bill lapsed into law in 2016.
As congressman, Guiao also filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to mandate Pagcor and PCSO to remit to the Philippine Sports Commission its full five-percent share from their revenue. That petition was granted by the High Court last August, potentially handing the government's sports agency billions in additional funds.
Asked what prompted him to turn his back on politics, Guiao said, "Running for public office is expensive. We're not there to make money, so it's really a thankless job."
The seven-time champion coach said he also desires a 'more relaxed, less-stressful life,' as if his day job as Rain or Shine coach isn't just as stressful.
On Wednesday, Guiao and Rain or Shine resume their quest to become the first team outside the San Miguel Corp. and MVP organizations in eight seasons to win a PBA championship when they take on TNT in Game One.
The last independent team to do it? Rain or Shine under Guiao in 2016.
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