MANILA — (UPDATED) Viral sensation and pares eatery owner Diwata set sights on a congressional seat and formalized his bid with the filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Wednesday.

Diwata, whose real name is Deo Balbuena, is the fourth nominee of Vendors party-list, which he said advocates for the rights and interests of street vendors.

"Base sa mga karanasan ko — siguro maraming nakakakita sa social media kung paano ako makipaglaban bilang isang vendor — hindi ako nag-atubili na sumama sa kanila (party-list) para ipaglaban ang karapatan ng bawat maninindang Pilipino," he said.

Citing his personal experience, Diwata said he knows firsthand the issues faced by street vendors, including racing a capital and leasing or finding a space to do business. These, he said, are central to the causes his party-list aims to fight for.

"Ang intensyon lang namin ay mabuhay nang patas na ito lang ang kaya naming gawin," he said.

Diwata, who recently joined showbiz via the primetime hit "Batang Quiapo," expressed confidence he can "divide-divide" his time between a potential House stint and his growing pares business.

"Siyempre, magpo-focus tayo sa party-list, pero hindi naman puwedeng pabayaan ko rin ang tindahan ko," he said candidly.

Diwata is also not discounting the possibility of treating the House of Representatives, if he becomes a member, to "unli-rice and free soft drinks" to go with his signature pares. "Ay, bakit hindi kung gusto nila!" he quipped.

BACKED BY VENDORS

Diwata's filing of was cheered on by supporters at the Quirino Grandstand, among them Lucila Lacuna Damscao, president of Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market Vendors Federation Inc.

"Supporter po ako kasi vendor ako. Vendors kami sa Pasig. Naiintindihan ko na layunin ng Vendors [party-list] na maunawaan ang problema ng mga vendors. Nakikita niyo malaki ang magiging tulong at suporta niyan sa mga maliliit na manininda," she said.

"Siyempre 'yung mga iligal, kasama rin namin 'yan. Baka ang Vendors may magawa sa pagpupwestuhan ng mga illegal vendors kamukha ni Diwata malaki ang naging tulong. Kaya umaasa 'yung maliliit na manininda na matulungan rin ng Vendors party-list," Damasco added.

Balbuena expressed gratitude his fellow vendors for backing his bid for a seat in Congress.

Asked about his lack of political experience, Diwata answered: "Hayaan niyo muna ako, bigyan ng pagkakataon, 'diba? Huwag niyo akong husgahan. Gagawin ko ang lahat ng kakayahan ko para matulungan ang lahat ng vendors."