EXCLUSIVE from Featured Sports Writer of Associated content – Yahoo, June 18, 2010 – As Pacquiao
continues to solidify his cause to help the less fortunate and to meet his new league in Batasang Pambansa
from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2013, the public eye looks forward for a better outlook of him in the 15th Congress of the Philippines.
To the curious few, Pacquiao’s rise to political stardom is simply a perfect study of how a driven life must be: carefully seasoned with power and inspiration.In honor of the 15th Congress and the sanctity of the will of the people of the Republic of the Philippines, let us resolve: ” That Congressman Emmanuel ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao’s intent to re-enter the ring of brutal sport shall not be abridged.”
Yes, Congress is a public trust. Therefore, a public official, such as Manny Pacquiao who intends to supersede and to continue his boxing career that bears a conflict of interest, betrays the public trust, at least according to Attorney Michael Lee Mendoza, a Pacquiao fan and a member of public advocacy group in the Philippines.
But, until a law is passed, Pacquiao can somehow slip his head through a loophole and dance before the world stage with Cleto Reyes gloves donned on his bilateral hands. Fact is, nowhere in the operating 1986 Philippine Constitution can one find a provision that specifically prohibits any public servant from engaging primarily a dangerous sport, not even its Article Xl that points on the accountability of public office nor Section 19 of Article XlV which states, “The state shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions and other amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizens.” This provision definitely gives Pacquiao an excuse.
Consider this: If the brain and conscience do not rule for freedom from imminent danger while serving a tenure in Congress, then ignorance of not protecting a legislator from engaging in a potentially killer sport should be upheld and not to be quashed.
To the less skeptic, it is unwise and unjust to condemn Pacquiao’s outright intent in matters of distinguishing
as to what is right for him and what is best for his own jurisdiction and the Maharlikan nation. And for the other, it’s the only way to put the issue at hand in a proper perspective, no matter how noble his ultimate intentions are.
Pacquiao and the giant of boxing lords should not reign supreme. They all sing hallelujahs – incognito – to the unsung framers of the 1986 Philippine Constitution who failed to prophesy the entry of a willful boxer in the academe of legislative might. In what could have been against public policy in the U.S. for a duly-elected figure to engage in a brutal sport such boxing is simply a case of mockery at Congress in the Maharlikan nation, according to Mendoza. It is, nonetheless, dishonorable and a public charge for a legislator to put himself in grave danger, however great a boxer he is.
Whether Pacquiao will comfortably win his next bout is irrelevant. Fact is, his oath of office should cease his private interest to supersede in matters of gravely endangering his life.
The profession of boxing is incomparable to the profession of actors and actresses whose lives may have no bearing to imminent danger thereof. Yes, most actors and actresses who were or have been elected as public officials continue to fortify their talents and businesses in the film industry. But, no immediate threat or harm forebears with their respective undertaking that would likely affect the performance of their public official duties.
Boxing is a great sport but not for a legislator himself to become the primary participant of it.
True, the intricacy of the issue at hand also lies in the authority of Games and Amusements Board of the Philippines.Its power has to be called for as well.No Exclusion.
But, the essence of a legislator, as in the case of Pacquiao the boxer, is one of distinction.
What if, as a result of his next fight, Pacquiao will become mentally incapacitated? Is it not a public disgrace to allow such likelihood to occur?
No one can divine. But, total accountability rests upon the Philippine Congress.
Even a common ‘tao’ (man) may suggest that such event is likely to occur. God must forbid! Otherwise, that may result Pacquiao’s failure to perform competently of his legislative duties, if something of misfortune takes the helm of that Black Sabbath on November 13 or whatever date it might be.
As long as Pacquiao remains an elected public official, his power of choice to engage in brutal sport should become impotent and should be barred by constitutional means, to which this author would rather suppose in
the absence of such provision.
Nearly none of the current congressional constituents questions this issue at hand with the media. Or, is it simply because most of these elected ones have numbed their consciousness of Pacquiao’s aura and insensitivity of the primacy of human life?
Sure, they are not.
One can be less passionate enough to write and to verbalize about Pacquiao’s current official standing before the 15th Congress of the Philippines versus his non-public official status before May 10, 2010 congressional elections. Yes, of course, that scores the brutal sport of boxing.
Does Pacquiao need to obtain consent from at least three-fourth of the lower house before the same case gets to the upper chamber for final approval?
May be not.
Face it, Pacquiao will have to devote a period of at least two months of training, a lull period for the lone district of Sarangani which he represents.
Is the role of Congress relevant to Pacquiao’s willful abeyance of honorable tenure have bearing to his continued boxing career?
On the other hand, it must be good if Pacquiao wears an armor during his fight, for it is imperative the legislator’s brain (receptors) must be protected even more solely for rendering his legislative duties.Of course, brain damage is even more likely at this stage of his career. He can only take so much from a series of blows to his head. He has enough of what he should not have.
Just because Pacquiao is a legislator, we are not to regard him as above the law of the land. The merit of power must promote morale and courtesy and propriety for the official performance of his duty.
The issue at hand can be way over the heads of some boxing fans. But, it’s a test of faith…faith in the entertainment of blood sport.
Should we ask the congress to affirm a favorable resolution to take a motion of reconsideration, if ever there is, allowing Pacquiao to getting back into the brutal sport of boxing?
To some, Pacquiao must retire from boxing should he wish to keep his honorable post all because it is the right thing for him to do.
Conversely, the Philippines will have to protect the most endangered political specie “Congressman Emmanuel
D. Pacquiao”, more than the status of a “National Treasure” that he has become, from constitutional laxity or
loophole.
Yes, his status being the Philippines National Treasure has metamorphosed into a more honorable level sanctified by the will of the people, for the people and by the people.
Maybe, just maybe, Philippine Congress’ neurovascular points remain intact…no tingling sensation nor numbness at all, so to speak. However, its constituents cannot just be numbed for now and onward, even in ex-cathedra and justification to constitutional means.
No one should call it a mockery at the altar of democracy. It’s only a matter of congressional and constitutional challenge.
Let us see how Pacquiao’s new league in Batasang Pambansa would deal his continued boxing journey during his three-year term.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE!
Note: Granville Ampong also writes for Examiner.com as a Filipino Celebrity Headlines Examiner and for Associated Content – Yahoo as both Featured Sport Contributor and Featured Alternative Medicine Contributor. You may e-mail him at [email protected].
