GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/21 November) — The welcome world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao received last November 20 established an undisputable fact: Pacquiao is a national idol. That he can really unite the country is not a farfetched probability that Pacquiao himself can put to a test for a very noble end at this time of political and moral crisis besetting the Philippines. For emphasis, Pacquaio’s latest triumph – his 12th round TKO of welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Porto Rico — convinced international media they can no longer ignore him. In 2006, international media ignored his first big win in the United States. Even his later triumphs apparently did not have much coverage. This time The New York Times wrote lengthy articles before and after his fight with Cotto. Other elite and prestigious newspapers and televisions in the world must have covered the fight.
How best can Pacquiao put to use his popularity to help deliver his country from political and moral crisis? If he can see this and turn the crisis around, he will be not only a national idol but a real national hero.
Pacquiao plans to run for congressman in Sarangani. By the latest reports, he is serious about it. But at this time, his chance of wresting from the dominance of the Chiongbians and Dominguezes the lone district of Sarangani looks very remote. Even if he does – despite seemingly insurmountable odds – what can he do as an obscure neophyte in Congress to turn the crisis around?
For anyone to do this task comparable to the cleaning of the mythical Aegean stable, he has to have the country united behind him. Once united, he has to keep it united as he leads it away from the crisis. Now, Pacquiao the boxing idol has that potential.
But Pacquaio the politician – as politics and all politicians do – will divide, not unite. In politics, winning is determined by political loyalty called bailiwick. Without bailiwicks, no candidate can win. That was how Pacquiao lost in his 2007 congressional bid against Rep. Darlene Antonino. His popularity and money were of no match to – failed shake the loyalty of — the Anonino bailiwicks. The same odds await him in Sarangani.
So, Pacquaio can try to lead the country’s redemption from its political and moral crisis as a boxing idol, not as a politician. What can he do?
Organize, fund and lead a non-partisan political movement – calling it National Coalition for Good Government, or by whatever name. The Coalition will focus on national and political reforms. What will it do specifically?
First: Identify the political and moral ills at the root of the crisis.
Second: Emphasize that the dynastic traditional politicians have propagated these ills by immorally exploiting Filipino voters and manipulating the elections to perpetuate their grip of political and economic power.
Third: Emphasize that the only means to solve the crisis is through the Filipino voters by clean, honest and wise election offering them properly qualified candidates with high and unquestionable integrity to choose from.
Fourth: Emphasize the need to ingrain this only means in the consciousness of the Filipino voters; hence, the corollary need to educate them on the ills at the root of the crisis and on the only means to solve it.
Fifth: Emphasize to the voters to vote only for party or independent candidates having the proper qualifications and integrity and with platforms geared toward genuine social, economic and political development of the people and country conducive to political and moral uprightness.
Who will compose the Coalition? Invite non-partisan proponents of reforms, business organizations like the Makati Business Club, civic societies, and some non-government organizations (NGOs). They will institutionalize the Coalition, be it NCGG or by another name.
How will the Coalition instill in the voters the right consciousness and will to rid their country of the crisis? Starting with the 2010 election, the Coalition will campaign for change in how the voters conduct themselves during elections. While the parties, candidates and their leaders will tell voters whom to vote for, the Coalition will educate the voters on how to choose whom to vote for.
The Coalition can conduct small group meetings, workshops, symposiums, etc. It can circulate guidelines and other informative materials in print and through the media. The campaign to educate the voters will be as intense as the partisan campaign for votes.
When parties, candidates and their leaders know of change in the attitude, values and conduct of the voters, they will also change. They will stop exploiting the voters and making a mockery of the elections and manipulating them.
Can Pacquiao do this? If he makes the proper consultation for the movement, commit to fund it and assure to generate popular support with his popularity, he will breathe life into a long-frustrated dream – inspiring reform advocates in the academe, civic society, NGOs and business groups to coalesce for national political and moral redemption.
Millions of pesos will be needed to launch the movement – to organize nationwide and to set up mechanisms for the specific tasks of the movement. And more millions will be needed to sustain the operation. The funding may call for ten or even hundred millions.
But Pacquaio will probably spend that much should he run for congressman without making a national impact, whether he wins or loses. The reforms that the movement envisions will have historic national significance. Rid of the crisis, the Philippines will rise from underdevelopment to greater prosperity.
Should Pacquiao do the venture, his millions will only be seed money. The movement can draw fund support from business and other financial sources. A good cause never lacks backers — donors and financiers.
What Pacquaio and the Coalition will essentially do is transform the voters into people power much like what the late Jaime Cardinal Sin and Corazon C. Aquino did at EDSA I — Put Cory’s popularity to best use for the country. This, too, Pacquiao can do. And as Cory awed the world, so can Pacquiao.
The political and moral crisis of the country today is essentially similar to and as much a concern as the crisis under the Marcos dictatorship – the crisis bred by leaders and by leadership.
Will Pacquiao see and accept the challenge?
Will he use his popularity for personal glory or for national redemption? In his option lies the vast difference between a national idol and a national hero. [“Comment” is Mr. Patricio P. Diaz’ column for MindaViews, the opinion section of MindaNews. Mr. Diaz is the recipient of a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Titus Brandsma for his “commitment to education and public information to Mindanawons as Journalist, Educator and Peace Advocate.” You may e-mail your comments to [email protected]]
