For a moment, the Filipino people were united over the victory of Manny Pacquiao, who knocked out Mexican Erik Morales in the 10th round of their bout in Las Vegas, Nevada. After the Manny craze, however, we’re back to square one.
Mayor Tomas Osme?a is not even convinced Pacquiao should be adopted as son of Cebu City. He agreed, though, to a resolution declaring Pacquiao a living hero.
The criticism against President Arroyo for congratulating congratulated Pacquiao on the phone after the fight was expected. No matter how good were the President’s intentions, the opposition would always taint it with political color.
Even if Arroyo’s presidency is under a cloud of doubt because of allegations she cheated in the 2004 polls, as head of state she has all the right to congratulate Pacquiao for his victory and for bringing honor to the country. If it can unify our bickering political leaders, then by all means she should use Manny’s triumph to heal the country’s wounds.
The distasteful scene was Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo climbing the ring and hugging Pacquiao after he was declared winner. These were the same persons who shied away from the TV cameras when Pacquiao lost to Morales in their first fight.
Being seen on TV all over the world was a terrific free publicity. This perhaps annoyed the opposition.
Meanwhile, Singson, a known gambler, was so brazen in telling the media he bet millions of pesos (converted, of course, to US dollar) for Pacquiao. The Ombudsman, though, has no territorial jurisdiction over Las Vegas. In legal parlance, Singson’s statement was a “declaration against penal interest.”
Still, since Singson’s statement was seen and heard on TV in the Philippines, the Ombudsman has basis to investigate his conduct as an elected official.
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Even before placing things in the right perspective, Mayor Osme?a is already thinking big about what to do with the city in preparation for the Asean Summit in December.
How wonderful to hear him say the city would be spruced up and dilapidated streets repaired. There are even plans to remove squatters’ houses (considered eyesores) along the roads where Asean dignitaries and participants will pass from their hotels to the convention center.
But what saddens me is that peripheral roads that are already decrepit and full of potholes, like Hi-way 77 in Talamban, will not be repaired. Residents of Hi-way 77 have to wait until the 2007 elections before this road gets the attention of politicos.
I am surprised why Councilor Nestor Archival, who lives in Talamban, has failed to notice the state of this road, which leads to his residence. Perhaps Archival’s newly issued car is so hi-tech he could not notice potholes. Also, I still have to hear GMA 7’s Susan Ali?o, who lives in Hi-way 77, carp over the state of this road.
