I remember when Manny ran unsuccessfully the first time for his Congressional spot in the Philippines. Doing what a real champion does, he got up, brushed himself off, and got back into the political ring. The second round was different. This time he won going away, and as a result we now have Congressman Pacquiao, the 8 division world champion.
As I reflect back I can remember writing that it wasn’t completely crazy if Manny would one day become the President of the Philippines. I took a beating by some of the Filipino fans in the comments sections for making such a ridiculous forecast. Well I will not pretend for one second that I know much of anything about politics in the Philippines, but I do now how politics in America work. I also know that when one of America’s most power Senators (Harry Reid) hooks up with Manny Pacquiao, and honors him with a US Flag and gets him in front of other Senators and US media, that Manny isn’t just some regular Congressman.
Just the other day Congressman Pacquiao and his beautiful wife Jinky were hosted by the American President and our First Lady. Sure we all know that they talked about their mutual love, which is basketball, but they also talked politics. Do I know this for sure? No, but I would be willing to put some money on it.
Pacquiao has told me on several occasions that he loves to serve his people, to give back to his people. He’s been true to his word on this; he’s given back 10 fold. Pacquiao is also always up for a challenge. When he lost his first campaign for Congress, his natural competitive blood kicked in, and he came back swinging and won the second time around.
Pacquiao now has his Washington DC experience under his belt. He’s met and more than likely has become friends with the most powerful man on planet earth, President Barack Obama. He stood with Senator Reid and spoke these words, “I hope for the relations between the United States and the Philippines to remain strong.” At that moment it was Manny Pacquiao that stood before the cameras in a room filled with US Senators, and media, and represented his nation not as a boxer, but as a dignitary.
Is it still so crazy of me to predict that this man may make a serious run at being the President of the Philippines one day? Perhaps some people that it’s crazy, but I don’t.
Mississippians that I spoke to about this agree with me. I asked Bill Youngblood of Meridian, Mississippi what his thoughts were on a possible Pacquiao Presidential run. Bill is a boxing fan, and yes a Pacquiao fan. Bill feels strongly about this, ” Manny is already doing more for his people than most political figures in the PI are doing now. I truly think that this man will move on and be the President of that nation one day.”
President Pacquiao? Hey you never know.
