I decided it was the right time to take a check on the political pulse of freshman Congressman from Sarangani, Manny Pacquiao.
So how is he doing as he takes his baby steps as the duly elected representative, The People’s Choice, from the scenic but poverty-afflicted area?
“Good, I’m doing good,” Pacman said at Wednesday’s New York press conference held at Chelsea Piers alongside the Hudson River.
Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito will stay over in Manhattan Wednesday night and jet to the Dallas area Thursday where both fighters will attend a Cowboys preasons game at Cowboys Stadium, the site of the Nov. 13 WBC super welterweight title bout. The Arlington presser will take place Friday and then the boxers will repair to their respective training camps, which I think for the Mexican will be Oxnard, Ca., where trainer Robert Garcia lives and I know for Pacman will be familiar Baguio and then Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
Pacman said his priorities continue to be providing his constituents with a hospital where there is currently none (the sick must go to Gensan or Davao) and building a public college.
“Beyond that,” Pacquiao said, “my emphasis is on financial development and making it so the people can have liveliehoods.
“We’ve had fishing for the people but we need more work, more jobs. I believe we can also build tourism there.”
I asked Megammany if he would try for a Senate post after his thee year term expires.
“Maybe,” he said, smiling so brightly that it’s obvious he will want to work his way up the political ladder, perhaps even to residence in Malacanang Palace.
A reporter asked if his Congressional duties were “better or worse” than he expected.
“Worse,” he said, again smiling broadly. “It is not easy being a public figure and serving the people but this was a dream I long had and now I am living it out.”
