Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Yes, if his purpose is to bring glory and dollars into the country. The dollars could help alleviate poverty and provide employment for the poor people of Sarangani.
Lydia Reyes, Bataan: It?s improper for him to be a boxer and a politician at the same time. No one can serve two masters simultaneously. One of them will surely be left out.
Fitting tribute
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Yes, it is but a fitting tribute to Manny who has brought so much pride and honor to our country. Besides, the law states that he is allowed to go on vacation leave while training for a boxing match. Anyway, Manny will still be able to manage his office effectively through hi-tech communication and a dependable staff that can do the necessary paper work.
Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: His being Manny Pacquiao, the Pambansang Kamao, makes it proper for him to continue his boxing career despite being a congressman.
Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: Yes, in fact, I prefer Manny Pacquiao pursuing his boxing career because this is what he does best. He will bring more honor to the country through this rather than joining other congressmen who are good at squandering their pork barrel and utilizing their influence to get various concessions.
Celine Denise Javier, Vigan City: Yes. Manny Pacquiao has brought fame and honor to the Philippines as a boxer. Being a congressman is his way of giving back to his fellow Filipinos the many gifts God has given him. Let him decide when to stop boxing.
Nito Aquino, Makati City: Yes, Pacman should continue boxing for a few more years.
Leonard Villa, Batac City: Yes. Pacquiao is actually more effective as a boxer than as a legislator. As a boxer, he brings honor to our country. As a congressman, he?s still trying hard.
Ret. Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Zamboanga City: Yes of course. Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino and he wants the world to know that Filipinos are the best in the world.
Lawmaking needs focus
Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: No, it?s no longer proper for him to continue his boxing career. He?s had enough boxing matches and is already a Hall of Famer. He should instead focus on his new role as congressman. I just don?t know if there is something else that he wants to prove to the public.
Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: I?m not in favor because a congressman must maintain dignity and respect. He already has everything: Power, wealth and popularity. Kulang pa ba?
Rose Leobrera, Manila: He should stop being a boxer, anyway he has achieved a lot. He is rich. He is famous. He can?t ask for more. If his fate in his next fight turns out to be negative, it would be embarrassing because he is now a congressman. He should concentrate on his duties as lawmaker.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: Pacquiao cannot do boxing and lawmaking at the same time. He is not Superman capable of doing more than one thing simultaneously. Lawmaking needs focus and we have yet to see Pacquiao?s skills on this aspect. If he truly wants to serve his constituents like what he keeps on saying, his job as congressman should only be the one that matters.
Roger Caravana, Bulacan: I believe Manny Pacquiao should discontinue his boxing career. The job of a congressman would need his full attention.
Jun Montebon, Para?aque City: Now that Manny is already a congressman, he should just confine his fights in the halls of Congress.
Two masters
Ana Igloria, Laguna: He cannot have two masters. I am a die-hard fan of Manny Pacquiao in sports but not in politics. Now that the people of Sarangani have voted for him, he should serve them best by staying focused on what he is supposed to do as a congressman. Engaging in boxing would affect his focus as a public servant because he would need to spend much time practicing. In the first place, he?s already boxing?s pound-for-pound king, so what more does he want?
Maricel Maralit, Naga City: One cannot serve two masters at the same time. Soon, Manny has to choose between boxing and lawmaking.
Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City: Manny should quit one or he just might lose both.
Louella Brown, Baguio City: It is no longer proper for Manny Pacquiao to continue his boxing career now that he is already congressman of Sarangani province. He should think of the betterment of his constituents. He should realize that at this point, he couldn?t serve two masters at the same time.
Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: You can?t have it all, Manny.
Armando Tavera, Las Pi?as City: It?s either an early retirement from boxing for Pacquiao or concentrate on his new role as congressman. One can?t have two masters at the same time.
Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: No, for it?s like serving two masters at the same time.
Another way to serve
Ressy Cabacungan, Nueva Ecija: For me, yes, it is still okay if Pacman continues with his boxing career even if he is already a congressman because through this, he is able to bring honor and glory to our country. It?s like another way of serving his countrymen.
C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Pacquiao?s periodic absence in Congress would be understandable considering the goodwill he earns for the country by continuing his boxing career.
Conflict of interest
Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: It depends on our laws. I think there is something that says there must not be conflict of interest when serving in government. As in the Scriptures that admonish ?that one cannot serve two masters at the same time?, there is a need to decide whether one is committing to public service or a boxing career because one will do injustice to the other. But then again, the ?only in the Philippines? culture shows that there have been cases similar to this. For instance, many among our so-called public servants still make movies, appear in advertisements, occupy more than one position in government or the private sector, or own and operate businesses while serving in government. Manny Pacquiao is no ordinary congressm
