FILIPINO ring idol Manny Pacquiao said yesterday he is still undecided whether he would run for mayor of General Santos City in the May elections against a friend, incumbent Pedro Acharon, who is seeking a third and final term.
In a long distance telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Standard Today, Pacquiao let out a hearty laugh when asked whether he was contemplating an entry into politics, but then turned serious and said he had not made up his mind about running for mayor of his hometown.
Pacquiao promised to let us know the moment he makes up his mind.
But Pacquiao’s inclination to seek public office was apparent when he said he was underaged to run for a higher office, which some of his friends have advised him to seek after he retires from boxing, perhaps two or three years from now.
There were reports that his lawyer, Franklin “Jing” Gacal, was being eyed as Pacquiao’s running mate.
Pacquiao denied the story, although he did say Gacal was planning to run in the May elections. At the news conference announcing his choice of Top Rank’s Bob Arum as promoter, Pacquiao revealed that Gacal was aspiring to run for a seat in the House of Representatives.
A close friend of Pacquiao, Rex “Wakee” Salud, said it was “hard to know what’s in his [Pacquiao’s] mind,” in the face of persistent reports that he would run for mayor against Acharon.
Two years ago, when he celebrated his 26th birthday with gift-giving for thousands of poor people at his old, modest home in General Santos City, Pacquiao told us he could run for mayor and win.
With his explosive performances against Erik “El Terrible” Morales and the millions who consider him a national treasure, his chances of success have increased considerably.
There were speculations some months ago that he would run for vice mayor of Manila with incumbent Mayor Lito Atienza’s son, youthful sportsman Ali Atienza as candidate for mayor. The stories were sparked by Pacquiao’s registering as a voter of Manila.
Last week, he joined Mayor Atienza in raising the hand of Ali and proclaiming him as a mayoralty candidate to succeed his father who has been a longtime supporter of Pacquiao, an adopted son of Manila.
Should Pacquiao decide to run for mayor of General Santos, his decision to register as a voter in Manila may raise questions unless he cancels his registration in Manila and re-registers in General Santos City.
Based on various polls taken on radio as well as on the posts in Philboxing.com and the Pacland Web site, an overwhelming number of fight fans are vigorously opposed toward Pacquiao entering politics particularly at this stage of his ring career when he is almost at his peak.
