MICHAEL MARLEY’S PHILIPPINE DIARY, PART 21:
EXCLUSIVE PHOTO SIDESHOW BELOW
GENERAL SANTOS CITY–Manny Pacquiao never raises his hands in victory until an opponent is completely and thoroughly beaten.
You saw that when the Pinoy Idol hammered Ricky Hatton into the canvas and when he made prohibitive favorite Oscar de la Hoya, bloodied and bruised, quit on his ring stool.
Pacman’s boxing custom, not to celebrate until victory is really assured, has carried over to politics where here is now at 8:45 pm, local time, on the verge of a possible landslide victory over billionaire Roy Chiongbian in the race for the coveted Congressional seat from Sarangani.
I am at Pacman’s personal “Pentagon” where campaign director and friend Zaldy Du have been working for months to get their man elected from the province which is a neighbor to Manny’s hometown city.
Pacquiao is smiling and promoter Bob Arum is bordering on the verge of a happy delirium.
But foe Chiongbian shows no sign of conceding to Pacman right now, not yet.
I told Megamanny that Michael Buffer would have to introduce him as “the Honorable…”
Pacquiao smiled but put a finger to his lip to say let’s not do anything prematurely.
Within a half hour or so, Pacquiao may be declaring victory for a prize he really he wanted.
The fighter who raised himself from a wicked, abject poverty to fame and wealth with his powerful fists has long expressed his sincere desire to go into public service.
“I know the needs of the poor people,” Pacquiao said. “I want to help them, I really do.”
MORE, MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW
