MANNY Pacquiao is no longer a stranger to politics.
In fact, the political trashing he received from Rep. Darlene Magnolia Custodio-Antonino should have already wised him up. Today, he is not wanting and lacking of advisers on how to plot his political career.
I assumed Manny took all advices by heart. But at the end of the day, it was his singular passion to become a member of the House of Representatives that prevailed when he decided to throw his hat again into the political arena.
Let us look back at Manny’s major moves as an aspiring politician and look ahead as he tries to bounce back from that 2007 humiliating loss.
After Manny shocked Lehlohonolo Ledwaba to claim the International Bantamweight Federation (IBF) title, he became a frequent Malaca?ang visitor.
That started his dalliance with high profile politics – having a Malaca?ang tenant as political patron.
He was prodded by Malaca?ang to run against Antonino-Custodio who was a major figure in several failed impeachment cases against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
He joined the Liberal Party through Energy Secretary Lito Atienza, the man who almost succeeded in seizing the leadership of the party that bred the likes of Ninoy Aquino, Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga.
Against the advice of many well-meaning friends, Manny took the challenge and ran against Darlene as administration bet under the Lakas-Kammpi ticket although still a member of the Atienza-wing Liberal Party.
Manny was likewise used by Malaca?ang to endorse its senatorial ticket. He also took time to campaign for several candidate-friends all over the country.
It was hastily-ran and costly campaign. Manny likewsie lost precious time to campaign as he was then in the thick of training for his fight against undefeated Jorge Solis of Mexico in April of that year.
In the end, it was Manny’s inexperience that led to his defeat with over a hundred millon pesos of wasted income to boot.
Nobody really thought it was Manny’s last foray into politics. Many believed he is going to bounce back.
But his decision to run against another established and well-entrenched political family in another place was met with skepticism.
Before he filed his certificate of candidacy, Manny was a sworn-in member of Kammpi, the political party of President Arroyo.
That is where Manny’s trouble again began.
He will be up against the tandem of incumbent Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez and the Chiongbians whose scion, Erwin, is on his third and last term as member of the House of Representative.
There is no doubt Manny’s decision to seek public office in the hometown of his wife Jinkee rather than redeem himself in General Santos was weighed in by his then closest political advisers, most of them fellow habitu?s of cockpit arenas and casinos.
In fairness, another close gaming friend, Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson, advised Manny not to run in a head to head contest but instead run as a party list candidate.
Manny however chose to fight a divisive battle.
He first tried to send feelers to Dominguez, who was a friend, culminating into a visit at the residence of the governor several days before Christmas last year.
The governor was said to have advised Manny to first finish his study while not giving any commitment nor dismissing Manny’s overtures.
The two, both young and popular in their own right, are separated by age by no more than two years.
Manny’s closest advisers saw that cold-shoulder treatment as a rebuke and knew that the ‘equity of the incumbent’ rules within the party where both are high-profile members.
(Dominguez later was appointed president of the merged Lakas-Kammpi-CMD party)
Manny formed his own local political party, the People’s Champ Movement (PCM), and decided to field a full slate against Dolminguez’ line-up in Sarangani. His party began raiding the leaders and members of Dominguez’s party.
Manny has crossed the line.
In General Santos, Manny did not register his political party but decided to throw support to incumbent Vice Mayor Florentina Congson who will run for mayor opposite Darlene.
In so doing, he turned his back on lawyer Loreto ‘Tonton’ Acharon who he reportedly promised to back up and who, in fact, was the popular choice among his ward leaders in General Santos.
Manny likewise is also poised to throw his support Nationalista Party presidential bet Manny Villar who was guest of honor during his 31st birthday celebration Thursday evening (December 17).
Manny has announced he will take a break during Christmas and bring his family to a vacation in the US.
He will then undergo training starting January in preparation for his March 13 fight with Mayweather.
That Mayweather fight will further complicate his political ambition as he will again be absent for more than eight weeks.
Manny will have to rely on his political wards and operators to build a machinery that would match the Dominguez-Chiongbian political apparatus.
While Manny is adept at multi-tasking – a boxer, movies and singing star, product endorser, etc – politics demands full time attention.
His attitude towards it now could reflect what he will do if and when he wins next year’s congressional contest in Sarangani.
It may be early to tell but Manny barely passes the grade of being a politician, as of now. He will have a lot of catching up to give him self a fighting chance.
(Next stop: Manny’s platform of government)
