The nation will be riveted on the conduct and results of a number of local elections on May 14, but the main interest will be on the fight between reelectionist Rep. Darlene Antonino Custodio and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in the First District of South Cotabato in Congress.
Darlene belongs to a buena familia, while Pacquiao came from a poor family who rose to prominence and fortune through his world-class athleticism and strength. Darlene’s grandparents were former senators—the late Gaudencio Antonino and Magnolia Antonino. Politics is in her genes; she is no stranger to this “art of the possible.” She also has excellent tutors or advisers on lawmaking in her parents—her father is the former congressman and former General Santos City mayor Adelbert Antonino, and her mother, three-term Cong. Lu Antonino.
As far as education and preparation are concerned, Darlene has the edge over “PacMan.” Unfortunately for her, these are not the primary reasons for the election of an official. There have been many instances where the supposedly better qualified veteran candidates lost to newcomers who have nothing but name and sincerity to serve—and Pacquiao has both.
The Antoninos earned their wealth primarily in logging and banking. However, they are no longer as rich as during the heyday of the late Sen. Gaudencio Antonino. PacMan, who won almost $9 million, or about P450 million, in his last two fights, definitely, can match the Antoninos peso for peso should it come to this point in winning votes in the district.
Incidentally, a Mel Pagkati?punan from United Arab Emirates, sent an e-mail reacting to my last column on Pacquiao. He wrote: “Though Mr. Pacquiao may be popular, though he may have sincere intentions to help his people, I really doubt if he has the knowledge and proper education to be able to put his thinking into laws by himself.”
For the information of Mr. Pagkatipunan, no lawmaker, even the most competent ones like Sen. Franklin Drilon, Sen. Joker Arroyo, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Sen. Edgardo Angara, or Bukidnon Rep. Migz Zubiri, do all the spadework in lawmaking. They have competent staffs who do the research work on a measure percolating in their minds.
As for proper education, I am afraid there is no training school for a senator or congressman. A writer, a lawyer, an engineer, a teacher and a nurse can get proper training and education in reputable schools, but there is no school to teach a person on how to be a senator or a congressman. That is why a number of them end up being members of the so-called “silent majority,” or as an Ilonggo friend once quipped, of the PPP, for “Pongko, Pamati, Pauli (Seat, Listen, Bye-bye).”
Mr. Pagkatipunan, added: “If Manny Pacquiao really wants to help his kababayan, then he should do it by not aspiring for this post. It’s not the correct arena for him. Look at Bill Gates—he was able to help other people without getting into politics.” This is the frequent comment of those who are against Manny’s becoming a politician. But this is already academic—Manny has already dived into the political waters and has gotten himself wet. Let’s see if he could swim or sink on May 14.
——————————————————————————–
The other interesting contests on May 14 are as follows:
1. The President’s son Dato Macapagal Arroyo vs. San Fernando Mayor Abang Mabulo for the second district of Camarines Sur.
2. Speaker Jose de Venecia vs. Dagupan City Mayor Ben?jamin Lim for the fifth district of Pangasinan.
3. Reelectionist Grace Padaca versus Benjamin Dy for governor of Isabela;
4. Reelectionist Armand Sanchez vs. Vilma Santos for Batangas governor.
5. Reelectionist LRay Villa?fuerte vs. former Rep. Ed Pi?lapil, who is being supported by LRay’s father, Rep. Luis Villa?fuerte, for Camarines Sur governor.
6. Rep. Aurelio Umali vs. Vice-Gov. Boyet Joson for governor of Nueva Ecija.
7. Reelectionist Mark Lapid, Board Member Lilia Pineda, and Fr. Panlilio for Pampanga governor.
8. Rep. Luis “Baby” Asistio against brother Macario “Boy” Asistio for mayor of Caloocan City. Also running is reelectionist Mayor Enrico Echiverri.
9. Reelectionist Raul Daza vs. former ally Rep. Harlin Abayon for governor of Northern Samar.
