MANILA — If you can’t stop him, shame him.
Failing to convince Manny Pacquiao to forgo his political plans, some of his online fans have turned into foes, assaulting their idol with a mean combination of profanity and below-the-belt insults.
Pacquiao-bashing has hit the Internet and has made its way into text messages.
Wrote one person with the username Pacfan No More: “Manny makes too many mistakes because he’s an idiot. People who will vote for him are even more [idiotic].”
Apparently sharing the sentiment was “Daredevil,” who wrote: “Pacman will be [KOed] this coming election … He’s stupid about his ambition in the political arena.”
Both persons were reacting to an article on the website Boxing Confidential which said fans were clamoring for Pacquiao to abandon his political ambitions—at least for now.
At 28 years old and coming off two victories over future Hall of Famer Erik Morales, Pacquiao is arguably the most exciting fighter in the world.
But his recent announcement that he would seek a congressional seat in his South Cotabato province has cost him a number of fans.
The district, composed of General Santos City and the towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan, is represented by oppositionist and reelectionist Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
An online survey by Boxing Confidential showed that 84 percent of 1,020 peopel who participated in the poll said “Hell no!” to Pacquiao’s decision to join politics.
On the local website Pacland.com, an overwhelming 91 percent of the 12,484 who participated in the poll rejected the idea of Pacquiao as politician.
Even Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson has asked Pacquiao to drop his political bid, saying it is a “suicidal move.”
“As a friend, I am one of those who are pushing him away [from politics] because whether we admit it or not, politics is sometimes dirty and we want him to [avoid] dirty politics,” Singson, one of the most visible supporters of Pacquiao, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Thursday.
In contrast, Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pakung Mangudadatu has predicted a win for Pacquiao.
“I have no doubt that he will make it in the May 14 elections because of Manny’s legion of supporters mostly from the masses,” said Mangudadatu, the first Muslim governor of the Christian-dominated province.
Mangudadatu, who is seeking reelection, said Pacquiao’s willingness to serve the people was his greatest weapon.
Political observers in Central Mindanao said the fielding of Pacquiao was to help ensure victory for administration candidates bent on retaining control of the House of Representatives to kill moves to impeach President Macapagal-Arroyo.
Custodio was one of those who strongly supported Arroyo’s removal from office.
The President was accused of cheating in the 2004 elections, during which she was pitted against the widely popular actor, Fernando Poe Jr.
