MANILA – The deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for local positions is still weeks away, but already some strong candidates have decided to back off.
One man considered a sure winner for whatever position he runs for, boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, is reportedly hedging from his original plan to run for congressman. The super athlete known as Pacman reportedly told Manila Mayor Lito Atienza on Monday (Sunday, U.S.) that he was no longer bent on running after receiving much negative reaction for his recent decision to enter politics.
Last Saturday, he was taken aback when for the first time in recent memory, Pacquiao was booed when he went to Cebu to watch the “Battle of Cebu” pitting Filipino against Mexican boxers. The booing was overwhelmed by a huge ovation he got, but he was visibly rattled by the unfriendly welcome from some of his countrymen.
The country’s biggest boxing sensation since Flash Elorde ruled the junior lightweight division for seven years in the ‘60s, Pacquiao is set to face Mexican Jorge Solis in Texas in April, still within the campaign period. This led the Commission on Elections to step into the picture, when Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos told ABS-CBN – which is airing the fight – to submit an “outline” of the televised fight should he push through with his political plans.
Pacquiao did not confirm the planned withdrawal, which was told to mediamen by Atienza, whose final term is expiring. Pacquiao considers the Manila mayor his political mentor, having joined the pro-administration Atienza wing of the Liberal Party earlier this month. In previous months, the boxer had spoken about running for various posts, ranging from congressman to mayor of his adopted hometown of General Santos City, and even vice mayor of the City of Manila.
Atienza’s son Ali is running in his stead, and there are indications that the three-term mayor wants the popular pugilist to be Ali’s running mate. The young Atienza is not too well known to the electorate, and he faces tough challenges from incumbent senator and former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, incumbent vice mayor Danny Lacuna, and congressman Joey Hizon, among others.
There are also strong indications that multi-millionaire businessman Mark Jimenez is running, as proven by his campaign posters which have been sprouting all over the capital city. Jimenez was a former congressman for Manila when his term was cut short by his conviction by a U.S. court of making illegal contributions to the campaign of Bill Clinton. Jimenez was eventually extradited to the U.S., where he spent three years in a federal penitentiary.
Back to showbiz
Three-term Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos, the “star for all seasons,” also withdrew her bid to run for governor of Batangas, one day after saying she was “80 percent sure” of running.
Santos said she would likely go back to keeping house for incumbent senator Ralph Recto, who is running for reelection under the administration’s Team Unity. A return to show business has not been discounted.
The multi-awarded actress said her withdrawal from the gubernatorial race was a hard one, as there has been a strong clamor for her to run. But she gave way to the older brother of her husband, incumbent vice governor Ricky Recto, to keep peace within the family.
Ricky Recto is facing the incumbent Governor Armand Sanchez, long suspected of being one of the country’s biggest jueteng lords. But Sanchez remains popular with the electorate because he is perceived as a Robin Hood who is extra generous to the poor.
There is bad blood between Sanchez and Recto, which reached its peak after a failed assassination attempt resulted in injuries to the governor and his bodyguard getting killed when a bomb destroyed his Hummer.
Earlier this year, the situation worsened when the Department of Interior and Local Government ordered the suspension of Sanchez for allegedly approving without public bidding the computerization of the provincial government’s offices. The DILG ordered Recto to assume the post of acting governor, but Sanchez was able to get a court to issue a restraining order.
The situation is made more complex by Sanchez and Recto both being with administration parties. Sanchez is a member of the LP-Atienza wing, while Recto is with the Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats.
Totally independent
On the national level, erstwhile senatorial candidate Francis Pangilinan, husband of megastar of Philippine showbiz, Sharon Cuneta, may have endangered his own candidacy by snubbing the Genuine Opposition’s proclamation rally at historic Plaza Miranda in Manila over the weekend.
Genuine Opposition president Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said that while Pangilinan remained with their slate, he would only “campaign for 11.”
Pangilinan has long claimed to be an independent, and has not exactly received a warm welcome from GO members since his inclusion in their Senate line-up. In return to the cold treatment he has been getting, Pangilinan has not joined a single sortie of GO.
His official status is “guest” candidate despite persistent reports that he would be dropped soon in favor of either former senator Gregorio Honasan (now running as an independent) or actor Richard Gomez.
GO senatorial candidate Alan Pete Cayetano said he was not bothered by Pangilinan’s absence, even at the Plaza Miranda event. “When and where to campaign, and how or which manner to campaign is a decision based on strategy,” he said.
But another of the opposition’s young turks, Francis Escudero, said the position taken by their guest candidate was “truly unfortunate.”
For his part, Pangilinan made it clear that he was not a member of the opposition.
GO finally held its proclamation rally after two earlier failed attempts. The initial salvo was originally scheduled in Makati, then was moved to San Juan. When it was finally held at Quiapo, Manila, only a small crowd attended. This resulted in Philippine Daily Inquirer political analyst Amado Doronila calling the opposition’s return to Plaza Miranda “a big letdown.”
