Look Who's Talking.....?

WHAT'S the fuss about Manny Pacquiao running for Congress in General Santos City? The poor guy is being hit below the belt while some are stabbing him from behind. Manny is running in the first district to serve his people. Just because he is "just" a boxer does not mean a UP or Ateneo graduate is better than he is in serving his constituents.

His opponent, Darlene Antonino Custodio, says she is not at all bothered about Manny's running, saying that the electorates in her district are intelligent voters. If so, why is she in all TV networks complaining that the administration (read Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) has lured and fielded Pacquiao to run against her.

As if doubting Manny's competence is not enough, they are now assailing that the boxing idol is not from General Santos City.

But look who's talking? Not a few politicians are residents only of a political district for convenience. There are too many of them I know the space allocated for this column will not be enough to list them.

In fact, if we send to Muntinglupa all the congressmen and senators who claim to be from districts outside of Metro Manila but who had actually taken up permanent residence in the national capital region, we will not have enough room in the penitentiary to accommodate them.

Critics of Manny should not equate him with TV and movie personalities who live in the world of fantasy. Manny is a pulsating reality in the midst of his constituents. He has long ago demonstrated his concern for the people he wants to serve now.

Manny is known not only for his gallantry he is also popularly recognized for his acts of charity. And he needs not be a congressman to do this. He extends help to those in need from the hard-earned money, which are fruits of his blood, sweat and sacrifices. Not from pork barrel, allowances and congressional perks. He felt he can do a lot more if he is congressman.

Now he is being pummeled from all sides. His adversary thought that Manny Pacquiao will cave in. Well, they are mistaken. He had been used to being downtrodden and humiliated when he was poor. He endured the pain and the anguish when he went into boxing. Today he is humble even in victory. Politics and the rigors of the campaign is a walk in the park for Manny.

I don't fully subscribe to our friend Governor Manny Pinol's counsel to his tokayo to shun politics. Even as he is a boxer, this Manny has mission in life and foremost among these is to give honor to his country. The other day, Pacquiao was pressed by a media person who asked why he is running for congressman and not just pursue his boxing career. Manny's answer was short and straightforward. "If they can serve my people, I will not run. But I am running because I want to serve. If I win in this elections, I will quit boxing and serve my people."

Why then deprive Manny Pacquiao the opportunity to serve in another capacity? Is it because he is not a lawyer or lacks the eloquence of Darlene and the likes of her in Congress? Some of those in congress who have a litany of degrees have done absolutely nothing but to engage in endless peroration and dramatics want to run for the senate. In last Thursday's issue of a national daily for example, the glib talker Peter Alan Cayetano is virtually zero in bills authored or sponsored. Congress is not an arena for elocution contest. So why discourage Manny who has done so much to keep the Filipino pride and confidence intact and help keep this nation united amidst the devious politicians who would rather see us fractured? C'mon guys, let's give this champ and hero a chance to prove his other worthiness as public servant and legislator.

The giant TV network who made a lot of money from Manny ran not a few video clips of tricycle drivers and ambulant vendors in Gensan who are averse to Manny's running for congress. But this is Realpolitik we are talking about here. Manny may not fare well in drafting bills (although that is subject to doubt), but so do the Cayetanos who are lawyers in both houses. Moreover, for as long as it's GMA sitting in Malacañang, one of the amply provided districts in terms of CDF and government services will be the district that Manny will represent.

Now, who will debate against that?

Fortunately for the Pacman, debating on the floor and passing of laws is not the only criteria for performance. A congressman is likewise expected to bring tangible projects to his district. Unfortunately for Darlene, she is not particularly outstanding in both. I think that projects that she brought to her district are zero on account of her being an oppositionist. On the other hand, what laws has she authored? With such a dismal record, what can one say of her performance? Nada!



by: jun ledesma