By now, Manny Pacquiao must have already realized that being a member of Philippine Congress has its upsides and downsides.
Had Manny chose to remain a boxer, negative reports involving him, his family and his circle of friends may just be given fleeting media attention, swept to the dustbin with another exhilarating win against another marquee boxer.
But in choosing a political career, he now lives in a fishbowl ? nowhere to hide from the preying eyes of the public.
The Thursday police raid on his sister?s residence for alleged links to illegal gambling was magnified because ? well ? it is Manny?s sister that is involved. Any news that is even remotely linked to Manny is now being given prominence. Look at how showbiz reporters squeezed Manny of every sound bite about his rumored paramour Krista Ranillo who is reportedly getting married.
Manny, for as long as he is a boxing champion and a member of Philippine Congress, will always be a good media copy ? good or bad.
As a congressman, Manny will have his own honeymoon with the press outside sportswriters who have been covering him through the years.
House beat reporters were even amused at Manny?s quote of Robert Frost in his first ever privilege speech in Congress.
Aptly, Manny has ?promises to keep and miles before he goes to sleep.?
These include ensuring that none in his family, friends and associates are involved in illegal activities. That he will set the highest standard of probity worthy of public emulation.
Manny just cannot issue a terse statement that her sister Isidra will have to face the music if she was indeed involved in illegal gambling.
Manny has to issue definitive orders to his family, staff and friends that from hereon and onwards, they will have to come in clean.
But Manny will also have to set the example.
That means no more reported trysting, no more overnight stay on the card tables or heavy betting in ?friendly billiards games.?
Most especially, he has to tighten the noose on his political allies and friends who have been reported to be engaged in illegal mining activities and alleged destruction of mangroves in Sarangani.
I will give it to Manny. He may have the purest of intention to serve the country and the Filipino people. But he cannot afford to have his friends abuse the goodwill that he brings in Congress.
Living a life in a fishbowl is a choice he made.
He must be up to the challenge.
