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

MONTIEL VOWS TO END FIGHT EARLY

By Salven L. Lagumbay, PhilBoxing.com, 18 Feb 2007

CEBU, PHILIPPINES--Reigning WBO superfly king Fernando Montiel showed no signs of the long journey he took from Mexico to Cebu, as he gamely answered media queries and even vowed to stop challenger Z 'The Dream' Gorres right in the first round when they clash on Saturday here. Montiel, accompanied by his father-manager Manuel and brothers, took part in the arrival press conference organized by promoter Sammy 'Don King' Gello-ani held moments ago at the posh Cebu City Marriott Hotel's Ballroom.......

Manny's biggest fight

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star, 18 Feb 2007
Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has decided to run for a congressional seat in the May 14 national polls and faces a formidable foe in reelectionist Darlene Antonino Custodio.

Pacquiao, 28, says he wants to give back to General Santos City and the towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan which comprise South Cotabato’s first district. His action plan is centered on promoting jobs, education and affordable medicine for the poor.

But it won’t be easy trying to convince an electorate to thumb down Custodio, a youthful and outspoken oppositionist who’s seeking a third consecutive term. She’s 33, charming, intelligent and backed up by an influential political family. Her father Adel was once a congressman and former General Santos City mayor while her mother Lualhati served three straight terms in the Lower House.

Election watchers are convinced it will be Pacquiao’s biggest fight ever. Custodio isn’t a Marco Antonio Barrera or an Erik Morales who both crumbled under the fury of Pacquiao’s fists in the ring. She’s a savvy politician who knows what it takes to bring in the votes.

Pacquiao, however, is banking on his popularity and reputation as generous, kind-hearted and hardworking national hero.

As a fighter, Pacquiao has no equal in the world, pound for pound. Experts are hailing Pacquiao as the nonpareil – more exciting, more explosive and more charismatic than Floyd Mayweather who used to be considered the world’s No. 1 fighter before the Filipino’s emergence as a global phenom.

At least two of Pacquiao’s closest boxing advisers tried desperately to talk him out of running.

"I told Manny as a fighter, the entire country is with him but as a politician, he will have enemies," said an adviser. "There will be time for politics later in his life. He’s still young. He should concentrate on his boxing career while he’s at his peak, earn more millions then decide what to do after he retires."

Another adviser begged for Pacquiao to postpone his entry into politics.

"He can still achieve so much as a fighter," the adviser said. "The door is wide open for Manny. There’s no need to rush into politics. It will be there waiting for him when the time comes but now is not yet the time."

Pacquiao listened to his closest advisers then made up his mind. He is determined to serve the first district now even at the expense of his boxing career.

Because of Pacquiao’s political plans, his US promoter Bob Arum encountered some difficulty pinning down a date and site for his next fight against unbeaten Mexican Jorge Solis. The date has been moved from April 28 to 21 and now, to 14. And the site was relocated across the globe from Macau to San Antonio, Texas. Luckily, Arum has the connections to make things happen for Pacquiao and the fight against Solis is now confirmed – unless Comelec says otherwise.

Predictably, Pacquiao’s political opponents are crying foul. Pacquiao’s scheduled bout against Solis will fall within the campaign period and his opponents are claiming it will give unfair publicity mileage for the fighter. If the opponents succeed in convincing the Comelec of their position, Pacquiao might have to back out of the fight – a clear example of how his ring career will be jeopardized by politics.

Political observers insist Pacquiao was influenced to run by allies close to Malacañang since nobody else has a chance to unseat Custodio in the first district.

Who convinced Pacquiao to run is an irrelevant issue. Pacquiao has his own mind and makes decisions about his life after consulting those whose opinions he regards highly. As in his boxing career, Pacquiao is the "boss." The buck stops with him. He’s not perfect because he’s only human. Like anyone else, he stumbles but learns every step of the way and hopes he doesn’t commit the same mistakes again.

Sooner or later, Pacquiao will realize that boxing and politics don’t mix. He can’t be a congressman and boxer at the same time. He can’t be away from the Batasan for two months training in seclusion in Los Angeles and not accessible to his constituents. Something has to give and as a congressman, Pacquiao’s priorities will take a dramatic twist.

If she wins, Custodio will serve out her third and last term. That would allow Pacquiao three more years to concentrate on consolidating his future, his status as the country’s greatest fighter of all time and his political network to succeed Custodio.

Pacquiao’s heart is with the people and he’s in a hurry to make an impact on their lives. If it’s his irrevocable decision to run for congress, the electorate should listen to what he has to offer, give him a chance to explain his platform and compare his ability to serve with Custodio’s. The people should also accept that as congressman, Pacquiao may be giving up boxing to focus on fighting at a higher level as a legislator.

Pacquiao, others honored

The Bufallo News, 17 Feb 2007
Manny Pacquaio, a 130-pounder from the Philippines, was honored as fighter of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America, while his trainer, Freddie Roach, was trainer of the year. Pacquaio won three times in 2006. The 122-pound bout in France between Somsak Sithchatchawal and Mahyar Monshipour last March 18 was named fight of the year. Muhammad Ali was honored with the Pat Putnam Award for Perseverance. Other award winners included HBO's Larry Merchant for long and meritori Read Full Story >>>