NO MATTER the negative publicity hurled at him, boxer Manny Pacquiao is dead set on pursuing his congressional bet in Cotabato if only to prove his “nay sayers” and staunchest critics wrong.
Whether or not he was egged on by his sponsors, notably Manila Mayor Lito Atienza who is being booed everytime he goes with Pacquiao and is cited as being the architect responsible for Pacquiao’s decision for higher office, or if he is doing it on his own accord matters little now.
What does matter is that there are few people who can urge Pacquiao to drop his congressional bid outside of his family and his handlers. Still, the deadline is weeks away and a minor miracle may occur that would change the boxer’s mind for good.
There’s nothing to be ashamed of if and when he does give up his congressional bid. Albeit the Filipino people will even heave a sigh of relief and applaud his courage. What is alarming aside from a Pacquiao victory is the possibility of loss to an admittedly more experienced opponent which is a looming probability.
It’s not that it would be humiliating on Pacquiao, it’s that he would come across as something of puppet whose strings are being pulled by some people wishing to assume the role of “Colonel” to Pacquiao’s Elvis.
Anyway more on this in the days to come.
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The seemingly cavalier attitude with which the Lakas party is dealing with the campaign problems of Team Unity candidate Cesar Montano may somehow backfire on them if the administration party is not careful.
And to think that Montano was invited at the last minute by the President herself just as he was in the middle of talks for a TV series in a major television network which could easily run into millions of pesos.
The Lakas folks may have also conveniently forgotten that Montano dropped a cool P45 million worth of advertisements just to be included in the Team Unity lineup. Right now, Montano may be wishing that he needs that amount to finance his campaign since his fellow candidates are spending campaign money like water.
If only Montano knew that he was being left high and dry by the administration Lakas party then he wouldn’t have agreed to join the slate and instead be contented doing a TV series and otherwise be a happy husband to star Sunshine Cruz.
As of now, it’s Cruz who’s gnashing her teeth in regret and bitterness at the seeming neglect of Team Unity towards the election campaign troubles of her husband. Aside from the loss in income, Montano must also contend with the low visibility in campaigning since there may still be a lot of people who may not know that he is in fact running for the Senate.
Then again, with the Filipino people’s penchant for favoring movie stars Montano may not even need to campaign. Which would make another fellow actor, Richard Gomez, thank his lucky stars that he wasn’t included in the stingy Team Unity party slate.
