Manny Pacquiao?s resounding win in the recently concluded congressional race in Sarangani is but his rite of passage to the world of Philippine politics.
He probably got the better advice when he paid president-apparent Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III a visit two days ago.
It was an astute move that goes beyond reconciliation.
Manny supported his namesake Manny Villar in the presidential race and even went to the extent of appearing in a political ad that took swipe at Aquino.
He was probably made to understand that the president holds the purse that would fulfill his campaign promises without dipping into his pockets and cutting his political ties with Villar may be his better option in order to become a significant player in the House of Representative.
Now, Manny will have to slowly learn the art of political horse trading in a larger context ? a political reality he already learned at the local level.
His announcement that he is getting a crash course in public administration at the country?s premier state university was a more of public relation coup. After all, all neophyte members of Congress are required to attend the crash course to familiarize themselves with the protocols and rules of the legislative branch.
At this early, Manny already made public his intention to get the chairmanship of the House Committee on Energy to address the ongoing power crisis in Mindanao.
Somebody should tell him that chairmanship in any of the numerous House committees is usually reserved for senior members of Congress and members of the ruling political party.
While his concerns over the power problems in Mindanao are laudable, he should accept the fact and reality that heading the House energy committee will not be simply handed to him because he is Manny Pacquiao.
This column will henceforth chronicle Manny?s other ?public life? as he evolves himself into a legislature and probably a statesman in the long run.
My Pacquiao Watch columns will be devoted entirely to his boxing career that will soon be seeing less of the better days.
Manny will eventually retire from boxing, give or take a fight or two to concentrate on his political career.
His transition from a world-caliber super athlete to a Philippine legislator will take bumps and humps.
Like his boxing career, he will suffer some guffaws and defeats and the learning process will be slower in his first years in Congress.
