THERE have been many fans of Manny Pacquiao who insist that it is none of the business of anyone to question how the Filipino boxing icon spends his hard earned money.
The one who suggested that line could nowhere be right except that he could also be absolutely wrong.
Had Manny chosen to spend his money like any other ordinary Filipino who stumbled on an unexpected wealth, nobody would have cared except be held in awe.
But no.
When you chose a career in politics where all your moves will be magnified, there is no preventing anyone from scrutinizing how you earned your money and how you are spending it especially during election year.
(Yes, the election year has begun!)
For a position that pays no more than P60,000 (US$1,333) per month and a pork barrel of approximately US$4.45 million per annum, it really scares when one will be ready to spend as much as half a billion peso (US$11 million) just to get elected.
No. We are not questioning the motives of Manny.
Manny, admittedly, has pure intentions of being able to pay back and serve his fans.
But is it really in the realm of politics and being a member of the House of Representatives?
Why not as mayor of General Santos City, his original place of residence? Or governor of Sarangani, his adopted province?
In fact, paybacks do not necessarily come in outfits masquerading as congressmen.
Manny has always been a unifying factor every time he fights and wins.
That even became his mantra – asking the Filipinos to unite for the good of the country.
Now, here he comes – joining politics that could be as partisan as it could get. Instead of uniting, he will be polarizing the very people he wished to unite and serve.
Frankly, I don’t care whether Manny wins or not in the May electoral exercise next year. I won’t even care how he spends his money.
But the people ought to know why Manny is spending so much to attain that ambition and why that singular ambition.
Especially when, come to think about it, among his circle of friends came by the name Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Does the name ring a bell?
