THIS Monday, June10, singer and former politician Imelda Papin will start the first day of her public service work as director of the PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) and she is looking forward to this new chapter in her career.

“It will be my first day and I will get to know what the work really entails,” Imelda said. “I was told by the chairman (Judge Felix Reyes) and GM (Melquiades Robles) that they will introduce me to the PCSO employees.”

Including the PCSO chairman and general manager, Imelda sits in the board of directors, the fifth person in the roster. She will have to give up her job as president of the Actors Guild. She is eyeing Hero Bautista, now the vice president for internal affairs, to take over her position.

“Conflict,” Imelda insisted. “I don’t think kakayanin ko pa ang Actors Guild. I’m still there, though. Ayaw nila akong paalisin. Pero talagang tutok ako ngayon dito sa PCSO.

“I’ll try my best to be there everyday. I’m excited because I will return to servicing people again. Bigger broad this time. I’ve been servicing Camarines Sur for so many years. This is no longer new to me.”

A day before her oath taking, Imelda received the notice from President Bongbong Marcos about it.

“Ganu’n kabilis,” she said. “Marami ng nagsabi sa akin actually. Una, chairman pa ng PCSO. Any position pwede naman talaga, okay lang sa akin, as long as magsilbi sa bayan.”

However, she had been offered the position since last year. Somebody told her that President Marcos Jr. undoubtedly recognizes her sacrifices all these years.

“As long as may position na bakante at kaya ko, the President said he will not hesitate to give me a position,” Imelda shared.

Imelda immediately told President Bongbong Marcos her program that she wanted to propose to the board.

“Isang Linggong Serbisyo” is apparently connected to her hit song, “Isang Linggong Pag-ibig.”

“Ang dami ko kasing experience, humihingi ng tulong sa akin,” said Imelda. “Yung mga patients na pinalabas ng doctor on a Friday, wala na silang chance to ask for help sa PCSO on a weekend.

“At least on Saturdays or Sundays, there is someone to attend to them kahit online. Masyadong magastos pa sa pasyiente and pamilya if they are still there in the hospital.”

Imelda is not worried about her new position. “This is my forte,” she said. “Even before I became a politician, I was already reaching out to people needing help.

“Even now that I am not into any position, I’m still there helping in my own capacity, in my little way. My door will be open”

When it comes to politics, Imelda disclosed there are still several positions pushing her to run for a national position.

“I hope you can allow me to perform my job here in the PCSO first, so I can help the President help the ones who need help,” Imelda said. “Especially the medical assistance. The release of the GL (guarantee letter) should not go beyond 24 hours. Dapat it should happen right away.”

Imelda will still be performing whenever she can. “Hindi na baleng mapagod ako sa pagtulong,” she said. “Hindi pwedeng mawala ang pagkanta ko. Hindi ko pababayaan ang ating industry. Rest assured, nandito pa rin ako.

“Ngayon pa ba hindi ko gampanan ang role ko to help. Pamilya ko ang showbiz. I’ve been in the business for 45 years now. This is my payback time.

“So we will fix everything when it comes to medical assistance. I believe makakatulong naman ako sa PCSO. I’m very positive. Kakayanin natin ‘yan. Mas gusto kong busy rather than hindi busy. So I hope you will all help me.”

Meanwhile, Imelda’s life story, Loyalista, continues its nationwide tour through block screening. It will be shown in Iligan on July 23.

“We will think about the theatrical release of Loyalista after the nationwide tour,” Imelda said.