MANILA, Philippines—Everybody who cared swore it was not the right fight for him.
But Manny Pacquiao obviously wanted to also change the face, if not the heart, of Philippine politics.
The boxing super hero could not be blamed.
He must’ve felt he had the perfect weaponry for the big fight at the polls.
He has the money, more than he could dream of.
With his popularity and appeal, Pacquiao could indeed be invincible in a political skirmish.
OK, he would always have the famous Freddie Roach inside the ring to insulate him from defeat.
But did it help any that, in his fight for a seat in Congress, Pacquiao had President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as both promoter and chief second?
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Nup, GMA was a minus factor, am sure of that.
Nup, that was not boxing expert Hermie Rivera, flown from California to work as Pacquiao political water boy, speaking.
That honest statement was from our hardworking correspondent, Aquiles Zonio, in Gen. Santos City.
But where did Pacman really go wrong?
Well, if you want Pacman to be a successful politician, get rid of the local bad guys tailing his ass.
What do you mean?
Two issues: Jeng Gacal was the only lawyer in town who was slapped by a scion of a fishing tycoon. He sued but, in the end, apparently sold his case to his foe. Gacal is therefore synonymous to a bad image.
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What else?
Pacman’s mayoral bet is also perceived as corrupt. It was during her term as mayor when a prime seaside public park was sold to RSBS.
But didn’t some people there vote for Pacquiao’s foe in order to save him from the hell of Philippine politics?
I don’t think so, sir. The main issues raised were his lack of education; and that he’s a yes-man of Malaca?ang, while South Cotabato, Sarangani and GenSan are traditionally opposition country.
So, as a resident, how do you feel?
Sayang. The guy is sincere to serve. People here have never learned their lesson. I think this place is doomed.
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You could call that foregoing conversation anatomy of a knockout.
Yes, it’s easy to say that, in Pacquiao’s case, he honestly and sincerely wanted to help free his provincemates from the obscene grip of poverty.
He had, in fact, bared this in earlier pronouncements, capped by that challenge after his KO win over Jorge Solis in Texas last month, wherein he dared critics to change places with him: “Kung gusto ninyo, palit na lamang tayo ng puso para maramdaman ninyo ang awa ko sa mga mahihirap na tao (If you want, let’s swap hearts so you’d know how I feel about the poor).”
Aquiles Zonio says that, in the latest Namfrel tally, Pacquiao’s foe, Darlene Custodio, “is ahead by 9,000 votes, with the margin increasing.”
Manny Pacquiao has walked straight into a knockout punch.
Of course, he’s no stranger to the hard floor.
He had a terrible boyhood.
He had to suffer a cold stoppage, right in the first round, against Rustico Torrecampo when he was still a raw, hungry flyweight.
With a champion’s heart, this KO in the political field should also teach Pacquiao to be wiser and fight harder en route to more significant victories.
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(PIONEER AND PILLAR: Birthday greetings to the venerable Leo Prieto, great sportsman and lover of life, who celebrates his 87th on Saturday, May 19. Mr. Prieto’s proteg?, lawyer-sportsman Rudy Salud, a very successful PBA commissioner, says he continues to be amazed at the undiminished charm and relevance of his former boss. Mr. Prieto was the first commissioner of the PBA, pioneer and pillar of the first pro basketball league in Asia.)
