Manny Pacquiao yesterday said that if elected to the House, the first bill he would file would seek to put up a fund for the financial security of boxers. Pacquiao should be reminded he is not running under a party list group representing boxers. He is running for the first district seat of South Cotabato currently held by Darlene Antonino Custodio. His job is to promote the interest of his constituency, that is, if he wants to known as a crafter of laws of national significance.
We have been hearing of boxers who have been reduced to panhandling. Most were journeymen who could barely eke out a living when they were active professionals. Some, however, have had their days of glory, with some fat purses under their championship belts. For some reason or another, mainly for living it up when they were making money hand over fist without an eye to future financial security, they are now dependent on charity.
Come to think of it, isn’t there a conflict of interest in this proposal of Pacquiao? He is now probably worth hundreds of millions because of his winnings and earnings from endorsements. He probably could not spend all his money in his lifetime. But financial reversals are always possible. It is not inconceivable that one day Pacquiao would exhaust his stash. Would he then be qualified to benefit from his proposed legislation?
Actually, there is a simpler way for Pacquiao to protect himself from accusations of legislating benefits for himself. He could ask somebody else to file his favorite bill. There would be no lack of volunteers, especially if the candidates riding on his coattails win their House bids. But there is still something not quite right about a legislator pushing, even by proxy, a law potentially benefiting himself.
We have another suggestion for Pacquiao. If his heart indeed bleeds for those starving retired boxers, why doesn’t he put up a privately funded charity for them? He could start the ball rolling by donating 10 percent of his winnings as seed money. He should then solicit contributions from friends and political sponsors. Fair’s fair. He is endorsing their candidacies, and he’s not getting any fees. But he certainly can exact pledges from them for his proposed charity.
Pacquiao for congressman? Forget it. Pacquiao as fund raiser for down-and-out ex-boxers? We’re all for it.
