Being a boxer used to winning everything, Manny Pacquiao wants to avenge one of his rarest losses. But this one is in the political arena where reports said the boxing icon will try to stage a comeback after absorbing a lop-sided beating last year when he ran for congressman in South Cotabato.
This time, Pacquiao, apparently having learned a lesson ? which is knowing how to choose fights ? is throwing his political hat in another congressional district, avoiding a head-on clash with Darlene Antonino-Custodio who soundly routed him in 2007.
Pacquiao reportedly is training his sights on becoming a congressman of Sarangani province in 2010.
“That?s what he said yesterday,” the boxer?s lawyer Franklin Gacal said from General Santos City.
In Malungon town in Sarangani on Tuesday, Pacquiao reportedly made known his desire to seek the post that will soon be vacated by Erwin Chiongbian, who comes from a political family that has been dominating politics in the province just as Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio?s in neighboring South Cotabato.
Gacal said Pacquiao, whose wife Jinkee hails from Kiamba town in Sarangani, will be facing a tougher opponent in the Chiongbians.
“This is much more difficult,” said Gacal.
The Chiongbian family has interests in shipping and the current leadership in the province is made up of Miguel Dominguez as governor and Steve Chiongbian Solon as vice-governor.
The past few months, Pacquiao has been making the rounds of the province, distributing goods and donating money for the educational needs of its populace.
Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight king, will visit Bacolod and Iloilo today to fulfill his promise of lending a hand to the victims of Typhoon “Frank.”
Reports from Pacquiao?s camp said the 29-year-old fighter will shell out P1.5 million to the people of Iloilo; P1 million for Negros; and P500,000 for Aklan.
Bacolod Mayor Bing Leonardia will welcome him and join him in a parade, while CBCP head archbishop Anton Lagdameo will preside over a Mass at Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo with Pacquiao in attendance as well.
Joining Pacquiao in the two-city swing is boxing patron Rey Golingan, a native of Iloilo, who now resides in General Santos City.
Dr. Allan Recto, the Texas-based physician who is one of Pacquiao?s supporters in the US, will host in Iloilo.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao said he doesn?t see anything wrong in taking on Humberto Soto of Mexico in November at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
“I have been dreaming about fighting him,” Pacquiao told a TV network last Tuesday.
Pacquiao?s wish to tangle with Soto stems from a desire to avenge a defeat inflicted by the Mexican on his younger brother Bobby who was knocked out by Soto in June last at New York?s Madison Square Garden.
“Manny doesn?t have problems facing anybody and that goes for Soto,” said Gacal, who revealed that the deal for the Soto bout should be finalized when Pacquiao meets with Top Rank chief Bob Arum in Las Vegas next week.
