GENERAL SANTOS CITY: Boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao said Thursday night that his opponent in the First District of South Cotabato had done nothing to improve the city, and that he decided to enter politics to institute real change.
In his very first press conference as a politician, Pacquiao charged that there has been no change in General Santos for the last 20 years and that if he would win over reelectionist Rep. Darlene Antonino Custodio, he would offer more jobs, better health services and more access to education.
?The city has a big airport but very small terminal, the circumferential road is unfinished, the emergency hospital is very small,? Pacquiao said.
He made the potshots at Custodio a day after they were photographed together smiling at each other in the welcome program prepared by Custodio and the city government for him after his successful defense of his world boxing crown against Mexican Jorge Solis.
Custodio?s lawyer had earlier petitioned the Commission on Elections to stop the live coverage of Pacquiao?s fight, saying it would give him undue advantage over her. Her followers had also said earlier that there would be no welcome mat for him. Custodio has since denied initiating either move and even led the welcome for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao said he did not want to invite his businessman-friends to GenSan ?because it has no development.? He expressed confidence that investors would come to this port city once he becomes a congressman, and that the Arroyo administration would help him deliver on his promises once he gets to Congress.
?When President Arroyo said that the people of GenSan are lucky to have me as congressman, I took that to mean she would give me all the support I need,? Pacquiao explained.
He stressed, however, that Malaca?ang never had a hand in his decision to run against Custodio, one of the prime movers of the attempts to impeach the President.
?I decided to run without the knowledge of GMA [President Arroyo] and the First Gentleman. Many are against my running, even my mother, but it is deeply ingrained in my heart to help,? he said.
He acknowledged that some might not vote for him, not because they are against him but because they want him to concentrate fully on his boxing career.
He denied that politics would prove to be a distraction to his boxing career and contended that he could be successful doing both.
?There have been many distractions even before I entered politics, but I was able to control them because I am highly disciplined,? he said.
Pacquiao gave his very first campaign speech Thursday night, before about 10,000 people, with the senatorial candidates of Team Unity and allied local candidates on stage.
Asked if he felt tense on delivering his first political speech, Pacquiao said he did not.
?I did not make any preparation for my speech. I will merely say what I really feel inside,? he said.
