MANILA, Philippines — Everybody, except one man, doesn?t want Manny Pacquiao to run for political office.
That single objector, as you must know by now, is none other than Mr. Pacquiao himself.
There seems no stopping the man now.
Last heard of, the Filipino super hero was just waiting to decide whether to run as mayor of General Santos City or congressman of South Cotabato province.
No question about it: Pacquiao didn?t, doesn?t and won?t listen to his provincemates.
He is ready and raring to go against their wishes.
That said, let this count as a green light, a go-signal, for Pacquiao to jump in.
It?s your turn to wade and swim in the ever-growing quagmire of Philippine politics.
Do it, buddy.
Even sports heroes are entitled to their own folly.
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You see, when it was first hinted he would be entering politics, Pacquiao?s very own mother, Dionisia, went live on television to try and dissuade his famous son from entering politics.
Mother and hero next talked and, based on the subsequent compromise, the conflict has been resolved in the Pacquiao kitchen.
What Manny wants, Manny gets.
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Yes, Pacquiao must?ve felt, quite honestly, that this opportunity may never come his way again.
He?s at his hottest.
In fact, political pundits swear he would win at the polls without throwing a single serious punch.
Plainly put, he doesn?t have to do it dirty — as is the usual practice hereabouts — and smear his would-be opponent.
All Pacman has got to do is be his usual self.
* * *
Strike while the iron is hot, brod.
What is he for as the greatest living Filipino sports star if he can?t use his popularity to win a political title?
Of course, there are questions that need to be asked.
Will the political title fit?
Is there anything bigger than his myth that could assuage this mysterious urge?
What?s Pacquiao really up to?
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Now, please listen to several answers to that last question.
?He?s not a robber — hindi naman siya magnanakaw — why is he so hot about running for political office??
That one was actually sent by Louie, a stall helper in the meat section of the Mandaluyong City market last week.
From Benjie Angeles, agriculture activist: ?Received many message from GenSan. Dati fans sila ni Pacquiao, ngayon sinusuka na siya. He has become a swell-head, lumaki ang ulo. GenSan people feel insulted. Walang tinapos, he?s unschooled, gustong mag-mayor.?
The international audience has also clearly frowned on Pacquiao?s political plot, as reported in various websites within the week.
Meanwhile, the search for Pacquiao?s foe has ended.
At least, Bob Arum after toying with Pacquiao?s schedule, first setting it in Macau against an over-priced Korean, before bringing the fight to Texas, sounded firm in his last announcement.
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Hold it. We can never be sure — based on how Arum has been making final choices before making a turnaround.
Not very surprising, though. Arum, in working with Pacquiao, has obviously picked a trick or two from the Filipino hero, who is known to promise one thing and do the exact opposite the next day.
Pacquiao, indeed, needs a terrible foe to sustain and legitimize his relevance.
But, based on his latest moves, Pacquiao need not look far for an adversary.
He has shaped up as his own big enemy.
Pacquiao, a follower of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, also need not be told that, in the world of Philippine politics, the biggest fights are won under the table.
