GENERAL SANTOS CITY — From the looks of it, there’s no turning back for Manny Pacquiao.
Shirts, streamers and posters stuffed in several huge boxes were delivered yesterday to the palatial home of the country’s boxing icon in Barangay Lagao this city indicating that he’s indeed running for a congressional seat in the First District of South Cotabato.
The stuff will be distributed to barangay leaders starting March 30 – which is the first day of official camapigning for non-senatorial candidates.
This bustling city, famous for its juicy tuna, Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan comprise the first district of South Cotabato.
While Pacquiao hasn’t actually filed his certificate of candidacy at the Comelec, he has made it known that he is raring to get it on with incumbent Darlene Antonino-Custodio, who will be seeking her third and final term.
In remote barangays like Bentung in Polomolok, Pacquiao was warmly welcomed in barangays Conel, San Isidro and Buayan as though the people here haven’t seen him in years.
“While there are people who don’t want me to run, there are also those who would like to see me in office,” said Pacquiao, who spent Monday morning surfing the net and receiving friends, supporters and people offering commodities that are essentials during the campaign period.
“Manny is GenSan resident but the people here still can’t get enough of him,” said a Pacquiao fan who had to climb a tree branch just so he could take a peek into the proceedings.
A few minutes earlier, as his SUV traversed endured the rough roads en route from one meeting to another on Sunday, Pacquiao told a couple of scribes from Manila that he will improve the quality of roads if he emerges triumphant in the May 14 polls.
“Remember what I am saying now because if I win, I will have this roads repaired,” said Pacquiao, who took note of the nearly zero-visibility while his convoy of automobiles traversed the underdeveloped roads.
“Look,” Pacquiao told the occupants pointing to the hazy conditions outside. “This is not fog. It’s all dust.”
Pacquiao said he has been assured by President Gloria Arroyo of her solid support in the event he succeeds in getting elected. Aside from the political challenge, Pacquiao is also getting himself ready for an April 14 encounter with Jorge Solis of Mexico in San Antonio, Texas.
Custodio has been a staunch critic of the Arroyo administration.
