HE expected it to be dirty. But Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao never imagined Philippine politics to be that filthy.
“Grabe! Alam mo, dito sa pulitika mo malalaman ang mga taong nagsisinungaling. Ngayon ko lang nalaman puro sinungaling pala ditto [Here in politics, you’ll find out those who are lying. I never realized it is full of liars],” he said.
The 28-year-old Pacquiao said he could not believe how his political rivals could come up with dirty tricks and make it appear that it all came from his camp.
“Katulad ng vote-buying issue. ’Yung mga kalaban ko ang gumagawa tapos kaya nilang palabasin na ako ang gumawa noon. Ibang klase talaga ang mga sinungaling sa pulitika [For instance the vote-buying issue. My rivals make it appear I’m responsible when they are the ones doing it. You’ve got a different breed of liars in politics],” said a noticeably annoyed Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, a first-time candidate, is up against the petite but formidable incumbent South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Pacquiao will look into the problem of lack of housing, and issues about peace and order and job creation, the top three problems he thought beset his constituents.
“Sa kampanya nakita ko na gutom ang mga tao. Problema talaga na walang pabahay at trabaho na maibigay sa kanila kaya ganito ang sitwasyon ngayon ditto [I saw during the campaign that the people are really hungry. The problem is there are really no jobs, no shelter that could be provided to them. That’s the situation here],” said Pacquiao.
The boxing superstar could not understand why housing remains a major problem in his bailiwick considering that South Cotabato is teeming with idle lands that are ideal for housing projects.
When asked about his specific solution to those problems, Pacquiao said his close association with the powers that be would spell the difference.
“Malapit naman tayo sa Pangulo kaya susubukan ko din na humingi ng tulong sa kanya [I’m very close to the President so I would try to ask for her help].”
Pacquiao is also looking forward to the opportunity of meeting several lawmakers in the United States, a possibility said by his American promoter Bob Arum.
As for his boxing activities, Pacquiao admitted it will take a back seat until he leaves for the United States next month.
Pacquiao will receive the Edward J. Neil Trophy as Fighter of the Year of the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America for going 3-0, including two knockout victories over Erik Morales, in 2006.
Pacquiao also scored a 12-round decision win over Mexican Oscar Larios July of 2006 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach was chosen for his second Futch-Condon Award as Trainer of the Year. He won his first Futch-Condon award in 2003.
Once in the US, Pacquiao said he will then talk with Arum and Roach about his next opponent later this year.
Arum recently disclosed to BusinessMirror that he has set an October 6 schedule for Pacquiao’s next outing, although a venue still needs to be determined.
Possible sites include New York’s Madison Square Garden, Vancouver, Canada and Asia’s gambling hub Macau.
Pacquiao plans to be at ringside when his younger brother Bobby tackles Mexican hombre Humberto Soto on June 9 at the Madison Square Garden.
Soto is being groomed by Arum as a potential Pacquiao challenger in October.
Arum mentioned several names as possible Pacquiao foes though it was apparent he cannot still confirm the availability of the boxers he stated.
Arum named World Boxing Organization (WBO) 130-lb champion Joan Guzman, former three-division world champion Marco Antonio Barrera and the promoter’s own ward Soto.
Guzman and Barrera are widely known to be fighting under Arum’s bitter promotional rival Golden Boy Promotions.
Arum, however, said he had initial talks with the camps of Guzman and Barrera and learned that the two boxers have no rock-solid deal with GBP.
