We simply have not gotten over the fact that people often times take the extra mile to sing praises and hosannas to people who, by reason of wealth, fortune and fame, are currently the toast of society.
Manny Pacquiao, both the champion boxer and the congressman of Sarangani, is not an exception to that.
So why are some people whining over Pacquiao?s rapid promotion in the reserve force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines?
True, his current rank is five rungs higher than his previous one and it is unprecedented, if not anomalous, for someone to be promoted to as a reserve lieutenant colonel in the Philippine Army from a master sergeant.
But people forgot that Pacquiao is already a member of Philippine Congress and bestowing him such rank, even in the reserve force, is perfectly within the authority of the AFP and Pacquiao?s current job as a congressman.
After all it is only the reserve force.
And unless we all wake up tomorrow with China already invading the Philippines because of the natural gas and oil in the Spratly Islands or the New People?s Army are already knocking at the door of the presidential palace in Malacanang, his promotion should be a less worry for us.
If someone like Pacquaio will lead against foreign invasion, will you not fall in line? Except perhaps when it is fighting against the NPA or MILF rebels, which can divide the people even more.
The AFP has been giving those ranks in the reserve army for as long as one can remember that it has become a three-for-a-peso affair.
Then we suddenly care because it is Manny Pacquiao, whose fault is because it is not palatable for others to accept him as an officer of the AFP for his admitted lack of education.
Again, it is all not about Pacquiao. He could one day become the Commander in Chief of the AFP and then nobody can question his qualification for as long as he gets elected, which should be more unthinkable and unacceptable for those who are now questioning his promotion.
It is about how our armed forces have cheapened itself in the name of politics and how politics and politicians have invaded our armed forces.
Pacquiao need not defend himself. He can decline the promotion to silence his critics. But it is not the character of Pacquiao to be above divisive issues. He lives and thrives on them.
Sometimes he wins. Sometimes he loses.
