“Does Manny Pacquiao have any chance of winning the election in the Philippines?”
–Jesse D, Detroit, MI
When boxing superstar and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao first ran for office in General Santos City and lost to a member of a political dynasty three years ago, many people have ridiculed him for dreaming of something that they think beyond his capabilities. They viewed him as nothing but a person who is only good with his fists but is incapable of using his brain. They are one in saying that he should remain in his chosen profession and leave the “affairs of the State” alone in the hands of ?capable? people.
When Manny Pacquiao moved to Sarangani and proclaimed that he will be running for that province?s lone congressional seat, the same people once again questioned his sincerity and belittled his mental capabilities and educational attainment. They reasoned out that he lacks the necessary ?smarts? to function as a member of the Philippine Congress if elected.
But the Philippine Congress has long been dominated with ?smart? people of all shapes and colors (like lawyers, doctors, accountants, businessmen, retired military men, activists, etc.) from the very beginning. Yet what have these so-called smart lawmakers have done to the Philippines but lead the country to its peril?
The Philippine Congress has been dominated for generations by these same people and their ilk that did nothing but enrich themselves with taxpayers? money while in office. The Philippine Congress has been the playing ground of these same people and their ilk, and look where the country is now. The Philippines is not only one of the poorest countries in the world but is one of the most corrupt, where the basic needs of its people are neglected, abandoned and forgotten.
On the contrary, for the longest time now, Manny Pacquiao has been using his hard-earned money to help his countrymen without question. Manny Pacquiao has been using his hard- earned money to help alleviate poverty in his own way. Manny Pacquiao has been using his hard- earned money to provide employment for his people. Manny Pacquiao has been using his hard- earned money in support of educational opportunities for the poor.
Thus, in the words of his supporters, “the people of Sarangani would be better off if they put somebody who understands their plight and needs. The people of Sarangani would be better off if they put somebody who is sincere and has a genuine heart for the welfare of its people. The people of Sarangani would be better off if they put a new blood in office.”
Manny Pacquiao is ranged against a scion of a moneyed and powerful political family whose dynasty has ruled Sarangani for generations. Manny Pacquiao is pitted against a savvy businessman whose family?s political clout in the province is second to none.
Now the people of Sarangani will have to judge Manny Pacquiao on the ballot, if he is deemed worthy to be their representative in the Philippine Congress. It is a fight that Manny Pacquiao has no control over its outcome. Manny Pacquiao?s candidacy is a fight for change. It is a fight that is significant to the future of the province. It is also a fight that Manny Pacquiao should easily win.
And as Gemma S. in an email sent to this writer said, “if the people of Sarangani want to see a change for the better, then the logical thing to do is to put Manny Pacquiao in office today.”
