MILLIONS of Filipinos want ring idol Manny Pacquiao not to run for a congressional seat this May and instead concentrate on his remarkable ring career for the next couple of years and then, if he still wants to run for political office, wait until the 2010 elections.
Besides, if he really wants to help the people of General Santos City, he should run for mayor since as chief executive of his city, he can do much more than if he were one among hundreds in Congress.
It was clear to us that the boos Pacquiao received when he arrived at the Cebu City Sports Complex for the “Moment of Truth” fight card were genuine expressions of disappointment over his decision to enter politics at this time. We found out at the venue that most of those who led the chorus of boos were faithful supporters of Pacquiao from Pacland. In fact, one photo posted on the Philboxing.com Web site showed Dong Secuya, who has been one of Pacquiao’s ardent supporters with a whole lot of fans behind a streamer urging Manny to stay away from politics and to get back into the gym.
The boos were certainly not organized by Pacquiao’s opponents and for anyone in the Pacquiao camp to make such a claim was an insult to his genuine supporters and to fight fans in Cebu. The boos were a reflection of how much the fans love and admire Manny. They simply don’t want him to be hurt by entering politics and the boos were their genuine attempt to make him change his mind.
However, all of us have to admit, whether we like it or not, that we cannot impose our will on Pacquiao and that he has, no matter what the objections, the inherent right to run if he wishes to. It may not assuage our feelings to learn that as early as 1998, Pacquiao told Rod Nazario, the man who steered him to two world titles, that he planned on entering politics because he wanted to serve his people. That is something that we cannot begrudge him, although we may vehemently disagree with the timing and even the office he seeks.
In some respects, our persistent demand that he not run and instead continue his ring career appears a little selfish. We enjoy his ring exploits, share in the pride and glory his spectacular victories have brought all of us and want that to continue. Our collective fear is that Pacquiao, burdened by the demands of a campaign not just for himself but also for several other fairly newfound friends may not have the time to prepare as he has done in the past for his April 14 fight against undefeated Jorge Solis.
Pacquiao has told us he can do both. But for all his confidence, we don’t see how it can be done. He has skipped training a couple of times. One instance was when he accompanied Ilocos Sur governor and administration senatorial candidate Chavit Singson to the Iglesia Ni Cristo headquarters and reportedly spent several hours with his publicly proclaimed “idol.” Pacquiao also added to the disappointment of fans by announcing he would show up at two events last Saturday and eventually failed to keep his commitment.
He delayed the press conference of the party-list group Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta headed by former pro league superstar Jerry Codi?era at the Century Park Hotel for a couple of hours, saying he would be flying in from General Santos later than the original 3 p.m. press conference schedule. It was postponed to 5 p.m. but still no Manny. In the end, it was Bobby Pacquiao, who showed up but while he may be Manny’s brother, he is certainly not in the same league both as a fighter and an unbelievably popular sports superstar. Manny even skipped his own MP Promotions fight card, where good friend and confidant Rex “Wakee” Salud’s world-rated Eriberto “Yukka” Gejon was featured in the main event against a durable Thai.
Amid all the confusion and disinformation surrounding Pacquiao’s political plans, celebrated trainer Freddie Roach has probably made the most sensible suggestion. After watching a tape of the undefeated Solis, Roach said it’s a dangerous fight for Pacquiao against a 5’10” opponent, who fights a little like Erik Morales, has a good jab and is ready to trade punches and is not a runner. Roach suggested that Pacquiao cancel the fight, since he is short on training and put his mind on megabuck re-matches with Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez.
We’d like to add to what Roach said. Forget the Solis fight, campaign for the administration candidates if you must, but don’t run. When the elections are over, train like you’ve never trained before for Barrera, Marquez, Joan Guzman and Edwin Valero—fighters Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya has in his stable. Then, after securing your family’s future, run for office in 2010. You’d be a hands-down winner both in the elections and more importantly, in the hearts of millions of your adoring countrymen.
