MANNY Pacquiao said during the campaign period that he would drop all of his ?other? activities and concentrate on his legislative work should he be elected as senator.
And of course, playing true to the role of a traditional politician, he said during his proclamation as one of the 12 elected senators of the republic that he is still thinking of competing in boxing, but this time, in the Rio Olympics.
He also said that his effectiveness as a senator shouldn?t be judged by his attendance record, but by his performance.
Well…since the immediate period after the election is usually known as the time when the country gets collective amnesia, so, let?s forgive Pacman for that, but as to his plans of competing in the Olympics?
Now that I can ride with. But unlike what he said the other day that he will leave it up to the people to decide, he actually has less than a week to make up his mind.
That?s according to Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson, who met with Pacquiao last Wednesday at his residence.
The deadline for the submission of entries for the final Aiba Open-Olympic qualifying boxing event in Azerbaijan next month is on May 27.
?Hopefully, Manny says yes,? Picson said in an e-mailed statement, adding that what Manny is concerned about is what the people will say.
I say to hell with what the people say and go for it, Manny. Besides, these are the amateurs, not the professional ranks and he?d be fighting three rounds per fight. However, should he progress through the medal round, he could be in four or five fights during Olympic week.
He can train here in the Philippines and join the delegation when it leaves for the Olympics and of course, I just hope that if he does decide to join, he?d stay with the boxing team and coaches, minus the hangers-on that have come to define him in his Las Vegas fights.
That way, he can really experience what it is like to represent the Philippines in an international meet because even if he tells everyone?including that inter-galactic ambassador who got disqualified as presidential candidate?that he fights for the Philippines, we all know that he won?t spend a second in training if there?s no money invovled.
In the amateur ranks, there?s no money involved.
And perhaps, during his stay with the athletes, he can talk with them of their experience, not just as members of the national team, but of the training as prospects, of competing in national meets and of the difficulties in getting picked to join the national team.
You see, sometimes getting in the national team is not just about skills, it?s who you know. Just check our track and field team.
So yes, Manny, you may renege on your promise to concentrate on your Senate career and represent us in boxing in Rio. Because that would be our biggest chance to win an Olympic gold in decades and remember, we haven?t won a single medal in the last four Olympiads.
