COPENHAGEN?It reminds me of the Cypress Hill song, ?Clash of the Titans.?
?It’s creating hysteria.?
And, no I am not talking about the 2011 night when Floyd Mayweather steps into the ring against fearless Manny Pacquiao.
I have a more immediate concern. It’s this pesky Saragani Congressional election coming up on May 10 with the campaign having just rolled out in the province where Manny’s wife Jinkee was raised.
I still recall the steely look in Pacman’s eyes when I asked him what established opponent and scion of a powerful business/political clan, Roy Chiongbian, brings to the electoral table.
?He is a billionaire,? Pacquiao said.
No great insight into Chiongbian’s platform or his views on the burning issues of the day in Sarangani.
But maybe, to win this his second try for political office, there is really only one issue, the topic Bill Clinton hit on and the one that swept him into a stint in the White House.
?It’s the economy, stupid,? was the slogan of Slick Willie from Hope, Arkansas.
But, from all accounts, the Chiongbian clan knows to put well received ?incentives? directly into the poverty pockets of many voters in the district.
In other words, the Chiongbians know how show voters the money and, it seems to me, they can do it ways that Manny cannot.
Here’s a little glimpse into how Roy and his clan roll (Mindanao Now Photo and article):
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 29, 2009) ? The commitment of the Chiongbian family to continuously support the development of the indigenous people (IPs) in the province was formalized during the National Indigenous People?s Thanksgiving Day at the Capitol gym, introducing businessman Roy Chiongbian as the successor of the family in giving assistance to the IPs.
The Thursday (October 29) activity was highlighted with a tribal ceremony of acceptance for Roy Chiongbian as a follower of his parents, the late former Congressman James Chiongbian and former Governor Priscilla Chiongbian, in continuing the legacy of public service in the province; and the signing of the 2009 Covenant for Indigenous Peoples? Development among the municipal chieftains and other officials of the seven municipalities.
During the tribal ceremony, the tribe accepted Roy as their brother and ?new adopted? whom they believe can introduce further development in their communities.
The covenant contains the ten-point agreement for IPs? development including the strengthening of tribal councils; literacy development and scholarship program; development of settlement areas for IPs; support for the development of ancestral domain; development of roads and bridges; health, sanitation, potable water and school buildings; livelihood development program; promotion of peace and order; promotion of Sarangani IPs? cultural heritage; and a sectoral seat in Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Chiongbian, in his speech, pointed out that developing IPs is one of the top priorities of his mother during the latter?s governance.
?In 2000, my mother entered into the same agreement, but now that she?s no longer in office, my family and I will continue to support you. I am Roy Chiongbian and I am here for you,? he said.
As a new brother and member of the tribe, Chiongbian was also given recognition as Datu Gifu by the T?bolis and Fulong Tmugad by the Blaans.
Edmund Pangilan, the newly-installed provincial tribal chieftain, said it is just proper to give conferment to Roy as his family also recognizes the tribe in the province.
Pacman will be signing ?Who’s Gonna Run This Town Tonight? at some karaoke spot if he balances his political record at 1-1.
Reports from Mindanao have Pacquiao and his political team wisely setting up their own radio station and planning an all out media blitz.
You can be sure Pacquiao will be kissing babies, shaking the hands of any and all adults sharing his celebrity glow with as many voters as possible between now and May 10.
But the Chiongbians own the biggest shipping line in the nation and I’m sure these oligarchs must employ thousands of people in and around Saragani.
So what way do you think the working class voter is going to lean?
Sure, Joe and Mary Sixpack love and respect their Pinoy Idol. They love watching him clobber his opponents.
But there’s surely a significant portion of them who don’t want to see Manny rolling in the trapo (traditional politician) dirt with the rest of the solons.
And someone who sees the name Chiongbian on his or her paycheck every week isn’t likely to take the risk of being found out.
I get the sense if you don’t play ball with the Chiongbian Family politically, you’re off the team and off the payrolls.
This race matches a multimillionaire with a universal media profile against a local boy from the area’s wealthiest, most powerful clan.
It’s a multmillionaire against a billionaire.
Pacquiao may spread his loose cash (about $15 million from his March 13 bout included) up, down and around Sarangani but I wonder if he can seriously make a dent in the Chiongbian voting bloc.
I don’t know enough about Pinoy politics to know why Pacman hasn’t run for some national office where his amazing popularity and huge reservoir of goodwill would sweep him into office easily.
But I will ask the question.
I think it was colorful Broadway Damon Runyon who had some special rules.
One was to never play cards for money against a guy named Doc.
Another was to never eat at a place called Mother’s.
A third one could have been to never run for a local political office against a billionaire unless your his financial equal.
Folks, this May 10 fight could be a bloodier mismatch than Pacquiao ripping alleged wife beater Edwin Valero to ribbons, thin ones.
Tip O’Neil, the Speaker of the House for so long, always said ?all politics are local.?
He came from the streets of Cambridge, Mass., across the Charles River from Boston and he often told about how he spoke to an Irish neighbor lady in North Cambridge after he lost his first electoral try.
?Did you vote for me, Mrs. Callhan (or whatever her name was)??
?Why, no, Tip I did not vote for you,? she said.
?May I ask why not??
?Because you never asked me to, Tip.?
Manny Pacquiao better be asking for votes from every man and woman he sees in Sarangani.
Even then, he is a longshot, a rich celebrity squaring off with a billionaire who puts money in many voters’ pockets every time payday rolls around.
Meeting Manny is sure to be thrilling but maybe all those handshakes and warm smiles won’t translate into votes.
If Manny loses, he will know what Clinton meant.
It is the economy, stupid.
